Michael Donyinah Mensah, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Opinion and Awareness (CenPOA), has commended Speaker Alban Bagbin for his exemplary leadership during the House’s resumption on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
Mensah observed that while many anticipated a contentious showdown in the House due to the controversies surrounding the declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant, Speaker Alban Bagbin effectively managed the situation with poise and authority.
He noted that the Speaker’s actions reflected a commitment to maintaining order and fostering constructive dialogue among members, as his leadership effectively defused tensions and created a more collaborative atmosphere during the session.
“This is a defining moment for Ghana because we never expected to get to this stage. We shouldn’t have come here. When you look at what led us here today, you’ll notice that one NPP MP opted to run as an independent candidate, and the NPP launched a witch hunt against him.
“They had all of the manpower they needed, but they were locked in this scenario since they were witch-hunting someone who defected to go independent, and it has now come back to harm them.”
Michael Donyinah Mensah
However, Mensah pointed out that the declaration of the four seats as vacant was an error on the part of the Speaker.
He criticized former Speaker Mike Oquaye for setting a troubling precedent when he declared the Fomena seat vacant, emphasizing that this decision has contributed to ongoing confusion regarding parliamentary procedures.
Mensah argued that clearer guidelines are necessary to prevent similar mistakes in the future and to uphold the integrity of the parliamentary process.
The policy analyst asserted that the country would not be in this situation if both sides of the House had prioritized national interests over their differences and focused on the business of Ghana and its development.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration and unity in addressing pressing issues that affect the nation’s progress.
Mensah Highlights Legislative Impasse Halting Important Bills
Furthermore, Michael Donyinah Mensah recognized that several important bills are pending consideration by the House, and the ongoing impasse has effectively halted all legislative progress, obstructing vital discussions and decisions that could benefit the nation.
He emphasized that resolving this deadlock is essential to moving forward with pressing legislative agendas that impact the lives of Ghanaians.
However, he suggested that if the decision to adjourn Parliament would not have serious or negative repercussions, it might be prudent for Parliament to suspend its sessions indefinitely until after the presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7, 2024.
“We have lessons to learn from what is happening. We should understand that whatever decision we take today, there will certainly be consequences for these decisions. We may not see the effects today, but these decisions may come back to hurt us.
I will also commend the speaker once again for demonstrating leadership. The decision he made so far is the best decision that can help calm tempers”.
Michael Donyinah Mensah
Mensah further suggested that it would be beneficial to wait until after the elections to determine the next steps forward, as this would provide clarity on the political landscape and the direction in which the new leadership intends to take the country.
By allowing the electoral process to unfold, Parliament can better assess the priorities of the incoming government and align its legislative agenda accordingly.
This approach would ensure that the focus remains on addressing the most pressing issues facing the nation, guided by the mandate of the newly elected officials.
Meanwhile, the opposition NDC has criticized the NPP for causing the indefinite suspension of Parliament, alleging that it is driven by self-interest and is unfair to Ghanaians who rely on effective governance.
The NDC argued that this decision undermines the democratic process and hampers essential legislative work.
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