Member of Parliament of Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, has revealed that the majority and minority caucus are beginning to take advantage of the unique composition of the 8th parliament to enrich democracy.

Assessing the 8th parliament, he indicated parliament is beginning to find its way in living up to the expectations of many Ghanaians. He noted that proceedings in parliament have been ultimately good although it started out on a jittery note.

Mr Suhuyini stated that the uniqueness of parliament also brought about higher expectations among Ghanaians. He explained that because it was also unique, members had to grope in the dark and “along the line, begin to even introduce things that were not anticipated by those who first drafted the standing orders”.

Citing the censure motion advanced by the minority against the finance minister as an instance, he highlighted that it was a path that no parliament has taken before. He recounted that the first time it was tried, it did not go as far as the one against the finance minister because the Speaker of parliament, Alban Bagbin, was able to introduce a procedure that was not anticipated in the censuring of a minister.

The Tamale North legislator lauded the Speaker for his acumen by way of a procedure which he introduced to help clarify the situation better and also got the public more involved in the motion.

“If you look at what we’ve been able to achieve in 2022, I will say that finally, we are beginning to get a grip on it and we are beginning to perhaps be clearer with how we approach things to the understanding the generality of Ghanaians…
Alhassan Suhuyini

Mr Suhuyini noted that the censure motion has enriched Ghana’s democracy, parliament and it has established a standard that will be followed and perhaps improved upon by subsequent parliament.

Improvement of parliament in its proceedings

Commenting on the Minority leader’s comment on the failure of parliament to hold executive accountable in use of funds and excessive borrowing, Mr Suhuyini stated that it will be too limiting to measure the work of parliament, especially the 8th parliament by how much a government has borrowed.

He revealed that it will be unfair to assess the working of parliament and whether it has lived up to expectation merely based on how much it has allowed a government to borrow.

“If the minority leader is just using that as an example of some of the failings of parliament, then I am unable to disagree with him.
Yes, there are other oversight roles that parliament can still do better in as far as giving the people effective representation is concerned and I am not one to say that we have been perfect.”
Alhassan Suhuyini

Mr Suhuyini stated that Parliament can still do better and there is more room for improvement. He conceded that there are some shortcomings, and he is hopeful that moving forward, parliament will rise above those shortcomings.

“That is not to say we have not in the last couple of years, especially in this fourth republic lived up to the bill as parliament is required.”
Alhassan Suhuyini