First Deputy Speaker of the 8th Parliament, Honourable Joe Wise has tagged all Rastafarians as weed smokers without exception.
According to him, Rastafarianism involves the smoking of weed.
His comments are in reaction to the ongoing controversial debate as to whether Rastafarian students should be admitted into second cycle educational institutions with or without their dreadlocks.
Headmistress of Achimota Senior High School in the Greater Accra region had earlier rejected two Rastafarian students on grounds of they having dreadlocks.
Speaking in a heated argument in the House, the member of Parliament stressed out that weed is an illegal substance not permitted to be smoked in the country.
” If you study Rastafarianism, it involves the smoking of weed, it includes the smoking of weed and weed is an illegal substance. Weed is an illegal substance that is not permitted to be smoked” He said.
Recalling when reggae musician, Black Rasta was called before Parliament’s Privileges Committee and charged for Contempt of Parliament for having accused members of the House for smoking weed, he pointed out that he was forgiven after apologising to the House.
” So if you recall, in this house, in this house, one person who was brought before this house for contempt of Parliament was one person claiming to be a Rastafarian who walked on air and said members of Parliament smoke weed. He was put before the Privileges Committee and found guilty of Contempt. He was brought here and made to apologise and was told to go and sin no more” The First Deputy Speaker narrated.
Meanwhile, political activist and leader of pressure group, The People’s Project ( TPP), Kwame A Plus, has reacted to Joe Wise’s comments, alleging that individuals in high positions in the country smoke more than the ordinary masses.
