The Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim, has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating standards of parliamentary conduct in Ghana. Speaking on a public platform, she criticized the misconduct of some Members of Parliament (MPs) and emphasized the need for leadership to set a proper example.
Muslims described Parliament as the “soul of the nation,” emphasizing its critical role in governance. She noted;
“Parliament, as we know, is the second arm of government, isn’t it? we have the executive, parliament, and we have the judiciary. So, in the ranking, [Parliamentarians] are high up there. I always say that they are the soul of the nation because they are the representatives of the people.”
Shamima Muslim Deputy Presidential Spokesperson
She pointed out that Ghana’s 1992 Constitution establishes the sovereignty of the people and gives MPs the responsibility of acting on their behalf. According to her;
“If a fish would rot, in our local parlance, it starts from the head. So, what we perceive or see our leaders do has very huge implications on how the followers behave.”
Shamima Muslim Deputy Presidential Spokesperson
Shamima Muslim highlighted several disturbing incidents in Parliament. She recalled;
“We saw very unsightly scenes in the eighth Parliament, scenes we had never seen before. Chaos erupted that actually led to the army storming Parliament after MPs were halting a democratic process to elect a leader—the same leader who is today sitting as the Speaker of Parliament.”
Shamima Muslim Deputy Presidential Spokesperson
She argued that such misconduct damages Parliament’s reputation and brings unnecessary scrutiny upon MPs. She criticized MPs for often punishing citizens for misconduct while engaging in similar or worse behavior themselves.
Speaker’s Firm Stand on Misconduct
Muslims supported Speaker Alban Bagbin’s recent decision to suspend MPs following another bout of chaos in Parliament. She acknowledged;
“Even the Speaker himself recognized that those actions could not be parliamentary or honorable in any way at all. And when he set up the committee and later accepted their apology, he refused to describe them as ‘honorable.'”
“Respect is always earned. If MPs want the citizens to respect them at all times, both in and outside of Parliament, the way they behave matters. How they respect themselves matters.”
Shamima Muslim Deputy Presidential Spokesperson
Shamima Muslim contrasted the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in handling internal misconduct. She argued;
“This is the difference between the way NDC leaders behave when they think there’s a transgression. They quickly jump in to correct what they perceive to be wrong. You never find that on the side of the NPP.”
Shamima Muslim Deputy Presidential Spokesperson
She referenced the Emefa Hardcastle incident, where she was accused of disrespecting an MP. While Parliament acted swiftly against the individual, MPs themselves continued to misbehave without consequences. He asserted;
“You said somebody came to your home, and a man cannot be disrespected in his own home, which is Parliament. But a man can desecrate his own home, and that should be, okay?”
Shamima Muslim Deputy Presidential Spokesperson
She emphasized that MPs do not own Parliament but rather hold it in trust for the people.
Erosion of Public Institutions Under NPP
Shamima Muslim also criticized the NPP government for eroding trust in key public institutions, including the judiciary and the Electoral Commission. She accused;
“The NPP, when they are in power, throws all caution to the wind and tries to manipulate institutions. It is not me, Shamima, saying it. It is not the NDC saying it. It is independent research institutions that have revealed that these things happen.”
“Studies like the Afrobarometer reports have shown that under their watch, trust in accountability institutions has been eroded because of their daylight maneuverings—stacking the Supreme Court with known party members, appointing known NPP members to the Electoral Commission, and interfering with independent institutions.”
Shamima Muslim Deputy Presidential Spokesperson
Shamima Muslim concluded by warning against the dangers of political hypocrisy. She called on MPs, especially those in the ruling party, to uphold high ethical standards and restore public confidence in governance. She charged; “You can’t always instigate these happenings and then come and behave like you’re a victim.”
She reiterated that MPs must lead by example, as their actions directly influence the moral fabric of society. If Parliament is to regain its dignity, lawmakers must prioritize discipline, decorum, and accountability.
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