'Naked' MPs In Parliament'

MATTERS RELATING to succulent breasts, hairy arms, provocative dresses, wide cleavages and big buttocks, popularly called 'Apuskeleke' in Ghanaian parlance, dominated proceedings in Ghana's legislature yesterday as some Members of Parliament (MPs) decried what they described as indecent dressing in the House especially by female parliamentarians.

The issue popped up after the Majority Leader, Cletus Avoka, had presented the business statement for next week and a female MP dressed in what might pass for a sexually provocative attire, rose to a ask question before the adoption of the statement.

Apparently moved by her looks, David Tetteh Assumeng, MP for Shai Osudoku, indicated that a number of his female colleagues were in the habit of wearing provocative dresses that had the potential of arousing any man in the House and called for a dress code for all lawmakers.

Supporting the call, Deputy Majority Leader and MP for Wa Central, Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, said it was important for MPs to look decent so as to preserve the dignity of the House.

However, Cecilia Dapaah, MP for Bantama, challenged Mr. Assumeng to name any female MP who was in the habit of wearing provocative dresses because in her opinion, all of them were always decently dressed.

Some of the female MPs were on their feet asking their male counterparts to critically examine their (females') attires for the day.

But in an obvious attempt to cool the rising temperature in the House, Speaker Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo cracked a joke, saying some of the men also exposed their hairy arms which could sometimes be equally provocative.

The speaker's comment excited the House as Members burst into uncontrollable laughter bringing the matter to an end.

Later, the House laid a number of papers and referred them to the appropriate Committees for consideration and report.

They were the Basic National Social Security Scheme Regulations, 2011 (L.I.1989), the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (General) Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1990).

Reports on various Bills including the Health Institutions Bill, 2010; Trade, Industry and Tourism Bill, 2010; Petroleum Commission Bill, 2010; National Peace Council Bill, 2010; and the Tertiary Institutions (Establishment and Accreditation) Regulations, 2010 (L.I.1984) were presented.

The House starts debating President Atta Mills's State of the Nation address next Wednesday.