A close examination of the New Patriotic Party parliamentary primaries after filing of nominations in constituencies where it has parliamentary representation revealed that about eighteen sitting Members of Parliament are voluntarily exiting Parliament.
The list includes the Majority Leader and Suame Member of Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the first Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Asante Bekwai lawmaker, Joseph Osei Owusu, the Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapng, Samuel Atta-Kyea, the Abuakwa South legislator and the Essikado Ketan Member of Parliament, Joe Ghartey.
Again, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and Member of Parliament for Okere Constituency, Daniel Kwaku Botwe, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, Atiwa West Member of Parliament Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Sefwi Wiaso Member of Parliament, the Oforikrom Member of Parliament Emmanuel Marfo and Benito Owusu-Bio, the Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya are all not returning to Parliament in 2025.
Others include Carlos Ahenkora, Member of Parliament for Tema West, Nana Kwasi Adjei Boateng, Member of Parliament for New Juabeng North, William Owuraku Aidoo, Afigya Kwabre South lawmaker, Johnson Adu, Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South West, Francis Manu-Adabor, Ahafo Ano South-East Member of Parliament, Suleman Sanid, Ahafo Ano North Member of Parliament, Kojo Kum, Member of Parliament for Ahanta West, and Francisca Oteng, Kwabre East Member of Parliament.
It is without a doubt that the exit of some of these experienced Members of Parliament (MPs) from Parliament would have significant effects on the New Patriotic Party in the ninth Parliament especially in its parliamentary business and operations.
One could not but agree that the exit from Parliament by the likes of Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Joseph Osei Owusu, Samuel Atta-Kyea, and Dan Botwe among others who possess in-depth knowledge of parliamentary procedures, legislative history, and intricacies of policymaking can result in a loss of institutional memory, making it challenging for the party to navigate legislative processes effectively in the ninth Parliament.
Moreover, the majority of the lawmakers who are exiting Parliament are generally adept at participating in debates, articulating policy positions, and engaging in constructive discussions, hence the absence of such seasoned individuals may lead to a decline in the quality and depth of parliamentary debates.
In addition, since legislative success often depends on negotiation skills and the ability to reach compromises, the exit of such experienced Members of Parliament who are undoubtedly adept at navigating political negotiations would make it more challenging for the party to build alliances and secure support for its legislative agenda if it wins the 2024 general elections.
It is worth noting that the Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Honorable Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu himself has underscored the need for Members of Parliament to gain experience in order for them to be effective legislators.
His longstanding views on the need for political parties to take steps to protect some of its sitting members of Parliament are of public knowledge.
Thus, the departure of the eighteen Members of Parliament of the New Patriotic Party could result in a shift in the overall dynamics and political ideology of the party as the new members might bring different perspectives, potentially leading to changes in the party’s policy priorities and legislative agenda.
It is therefore incumbent on the leadership of the New Patriotic Party to acknowledge the challenges that the development would cause to the party and pursue strategic planning, effective leadership, and efforts to integrate new members into the business of parliamentary work.
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