Don’t undermine Parliament oversight role
Since the country returned to democratic governance under the Fourth Republic, Parliament has often witnessed the governing political party winning majority seats in the House.
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This makes it easy for the governing party to have its way in the passage of bills and agreements, among others.
However, the 2020 parliamentary election results produced a hung Parliament - the governing party with 137 seats and the opposition also with 137 seats; and one Independent Member of Parliament (MP) who chose to do business with the governing side, giving the governing party a slight majority in the House.
With the hung Parliament, many people, including civil society organisations and development partners, believed that it was time for Parliament to flex its muscles by scrutinising bills and contracts, exercising its oversight responsibility more forcefully and seeking to build consensus.
It is worthy to note that the hung Parliament has witnessed instances where aspects of the budget had been rejected, with some members from the governing party side voting against their party position, particularly in the vetting of ministerial nominees and some oversight responsibilities.
During a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V on August 7, 2023 by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin (see Wednesday, August 9, 2023 edition of the Daily Graphic), the outspoken chief deplored the “unserious” attitude and gestures of parliamentarians.
He minced no words when he said: “We don’t joke in Parliament; we voted people to Parliament on our behalf for serious parliamentary business, not for people to go and laugh when serious issues are being tabled.”
Nana Nketia’s point has been reinforced by the Director of Programmes and Policy Engagement of the Centre for Democratic Development Ghana (CDD-Ghana), Dr Kojo Pumpuni Asante, who urged MPs to conduct the business of the House in ways that will benefit the citizens.
The Daily Graphic believes that the hung Parliament is an opportunity for parliamentarians from both sides of the House to work together and build consensus for the good of the country.
We, therefore, agree with both leaders that our elected representatives must attach seriousness to the work they do in Parliament because the House is the embodiment of the sovereignty of the people of Ghana.
Being the first of its kind under the Fourth Republic, there are bound to be challenges under the hung Parliament but with fortitude and determination, the Daily Graphic is convinced that Parliament can overcome any challenge that hinders the country’s democratic process.
Ghanaians must begin to benefit from the work of Parliament in a manner that will make them rise up to defend the Constitution.
We must also begin to see the various committees of Parliament, especially the Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurance, hold ministers and other government appointees to account to deliver on their promises.
The Public Accounts Committee must also be given some more teeth to bite where necessary.
We must move away from the era of working along party lines and allow the national interest to supercede party positions.
After all, our MPs are elected to serve the interests of their constituents.
