Minority leader of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has disclosed that his side, the minority, will ensure a strong oversight responsibility on government.
According to him, it is crucial for members to protect the public interest and not “partisan interest cloaked in public interest”.
Speaking ahead of the second meeting of the first session of 8th parliament, he explained that the oversight responsibility will include being “critical” on matters pertaining to government.
“I also believe that speaking for my group in parliament, we will be demanding greater oversight. The exercise of oversight responsibility is largely in Ghana a minority function as people in the executive or ministers are not able to question the President because they risk losing their job, if they did so. I cannot be dismissed by the President tomorrow. So, I can be critical on any matter and demand what is required of him in the pursuit of his mandate under the 1992 constitution. So, we will strengthen oversight as a minority. Where we need to corporate, we will corporate, where we need to be uncompromising, we will be uncompromising”.
As part of executing their responsibility, the Minority leader called for probe in some happenings in the country. This includes holding the “executive accountable to the happenings in parliament on 7th January.
“In order that, we can make recommendations that will reform and make us have a better parliament. You’re already aware that myself and the majority leader and in consultation in putting a motion to demand for the deaths of December 7, we intend to move a motion to investigate it in order to recommend that in future no lives should be lost as we undertake the mandatory four-year accountability to the electorate”.
Ministerial vetting
Commenting on the upcoming deputy ministerial vetting, he revealed that the Appointment Committee will begin soon.
The Minority leader further urged the public to make available “any credible information” on any nominee. Among the information required, includes nominees who fail to meet “minimum criminal threshold” and has “not satisfied the requirement to be minister”.
He further revealed that the information must be made available to the Speaker and members of the committee.
“I am aware that this parliament will consider President’s nominee for deputy ministerial positions. Indeed, we are starting any moment after this interaction with the media group. We will take minister of state and two or three other deputies. We intend to take them four a day depending on what COVID protocols and their own answers will be.
“So, as at when the reports of the Appointment Committee are ready, we will readily and gladly share them with you”.
Amendment of constitution
Additionally, Mr. Iddrisu questioned whether a major issue such as the constitutional amendment should even come by private members motion.
He further revealed that, his objection is “procedural” as standing order 95 “abhors anticipating a bill”.
According to him, an amendment will mean an incumbent or sitting member can preside as Speaker of parliament.
“I am aware that the leader of government business has filed some private members motion on some constitutional amendment. I disagree with him and I disagree with his thinking on it but it’s something that we all should look at.
“That will mean that, the Speaker will now have a vote, I disagree with his process and procedure because the constitution in Article 291, 292 provides elaborate provisions [on] how the constitution should be amended”.
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