Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Alidu Seidu, says the high attrition rate in parliament is going to affect the operations of the house.
He said most of these incumbents MPs who have lost their seats are very experienced members of the house with some even heading various committees in the house.
He indicated that, the turnover of parliamentary seats is going to take the house sometime to reorganize and proceed with parliament business.
“Largely, one of the serious concerns about the conduct of parliamentary business is the high attrition rate, especially with experienced legislators and lawmakers over the years.
“I dread to see how the new parliament is going to pan out because we lost most of these experienced MPs in the primaries and we have seen what is also happening in the main elections… it may at least, affect the way parliament will conduct its business.”
Dr. Seidu said the attrition is going to cost parliament some relationships some of these voted out ranking members had with the civil society.
“Civil society organizations have established links and build rapport with committee heads, committee leaders, ranking members, and the likes. Most of these things are going to change because, new parliament will require new leadership because most of these people have gone and that will also mean, rebuilding another trust with the leadership and ranking members to be able to do your parliamentary job.
“To some extent, the quality of doing business will be affected at the beginning, with new members of the house still trying to understand the parliamentary procedure and the standing orders which usually take a bit of time.”
Dr. Alidu Seidu however noted, in as much as some of these newly elected MPs are new to the house, they are experienced in their various fields and as such, will bring fresh eyes and minds to the house.
“I don’t think all of them are just that new, majority of them have also been very successful in their businesses and they will bring a lot of contributions to bear.”
So far, about 53 parliamentary seats have switched hands in the 2020 general elections.
Notable amongst these MPs who lost their seats are; Deputy Minister for Works and Housing, Honorable Barbara Asher Ayisi, the Deputy Minister for Health, Honorable Bernard Oko – Boye, the Minister and Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Honorable Elizabeth Afoley Quaye and Honorable Kingsley Francis Ato Codjoe, respectively.
These Ministers doubled as Members of Parliament in the last four years but has lost their constituency seats in this year’s general elections.
