Seth Adjei Baah, a former member of parliament for the Nkawkaw seat in the Eastern Region, has called the Minority Caucus’ intention to boycott parliamentary proceedings in support of Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson an “intimidation of the judiciary.”
Mr. Baah voiced worry over the Caucus’ efforts, which he said may be compared to attempts used to force the judiciary to provide a decision in its favor. However, the former lawmaker pleaded with the Minority to allow the judicial system carry out its duties.
“They should give the judiciary the chance to do what is right, because they are trying the case and the lawyers are there. I know they will do the right thing, so it is not about following up that will influence the decision of the court. I would therefore plead with my brothers to come back to Parliament, so that we can see how we can move Ghana forward. If a few people want to go with him [James Gyakye Quayson] to court, that is fine, but boycotting the work of Parliament is something we should not do.”
Seth Adjei Baah
He stressed that the energy intended for occupying the court on Mr. Quayson’s trial days, should be directed against the Jubilee House, if the Caucus believes that the executive, as is commonly claimed, is exerting pressure to prosecute Mr. Quayson; who is on trial for fraud and perjury.
“If they [the Minority] think the problem is coming from the executive, then they should go and picket over there and tell them that they are not happy. But not go and put pressure on the judiciary because their presence there is intimidating.”
Seth Adjei Baah
The perjury case against Mr. Quayson is currently in court. The High Court hearing the case chose to have hearings every day, but the Minority has spoken severally against this decision. As a result, members of the Minority Caucus resolved to skip Parliament on the days Mr. Quayson had cases at the court and has already ended up skipping parliamentary business for the fourth time. The Minority has therefore remained steadfast, despite criticism from MPs from the Majority Caucus.
Get Larger Majority In Parliament Next Time
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu (Joewise) urged Ghanaians to offer a larger majority to whichever party they want to support in Parliament in the next elections.
Joewise claimed that the hung parliament which saw the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), win 137 seats each, at first seemed to promise well for Parliament but has since shown to be difficult for cooperation.
The Bekwai legislator stated that it appears the youthful generation are in charge these days and that they have a different perspective than the elderly. In spite of their leaders’ agreement, he said, it was always members of the back bench who came up to bring up these issues.
“What it means is that indeed, at this time in the Parliament of Ghana, leaders don’t have control; the back bench have control. So the number of backbenchers and the orientation of the backbench you will bring in, could determine what you will get.
“Let me also say that Ghanaians should give each side they decide to give the majority, a large majority. When parliament got this close, I said that it would make cooperation better. Unfortunately I was wrong, it has made cooperation worse. It has brought out the worst in each of us and we are getting the worst performance.”
Joewise
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