The Member of the NPP Communications team, Lawuratu Musah Saaka, has insisted that the majority caucus in parliament is still the NPP caucus, focusing on the role of the Speaker, parliamentary conventions, and the responsibilities of the judiciary.
She highlighted the functions of key parliamentary officers and the roles of both the majority and minority parties.
Lawuratu Musah Saaka began by emphasizing the importance of the Speaker’s role in Ghana’s governance.
She quoted the official parliamentary service website, which details the Speaker’s duties and the impartiality required in executing them.
“The speaker is the 1st officer of the house. He or she is one of the 3 highest officers of the state, ranking 3rd in the official order of precedents after the president and the vice president. The Fourth Republic Constitution provides that the speaker shall preside in Parliament at all sittings and in his or her absence a Deputy Speaker. In the discharge of his or her numerous responsibilities and in the exercise of the powers vested in him, the speaker is expected to be impartial and does not take part in debate on the floor of the house.”
Parliament of Ghana
She further noted the Speaker’s influence in fostering consensus on significant issues and enforcing parliamentary practices fairly.
The Judiciary as the Arbiter of the Constitution
She argued that while each branch of government holds specific responsibilities, the judiciary serves as the arbiter of the constitution.
“In whose bosom is the constitution? It’s the judiciary. The constitution stipulates what has to be done in this country and even in our little groups and associations, one of the cardinal points is whatever you put together as your bylaws or your constitution should not be supreme to the constitution, which is in the bosom of the judiciary.”
Lawuratu Musah Saaka Member of the NPP Communications team
Through this statement, she highlighted the judiciary’s role in maintaining the supremacy of the national constitution, as well as in providing checks and balances within the government’s three arms.
Representation and Accountability in Parliament
“We all have representatives in parliament by virtue of the fact that the executive has to do certain things to make our lives easier, and they have to be checked by the legislature.”
Lawuratu Musah Saaka Member of the NPP Communications team
She argued that the checks and balances in Ghana’s governance system are crucial for ensuring accountability and alignment with citizens’ needs.
The Parliamentary Impasse and Party Conventions
Addressing the current impasse in parliament, Saaka recounted the origins of the disagreement, referencing a statement made by the former Minority Leader regarding the intention to have certain parliamentary seats declared vacant.
Saaka indicated that the Speaker’s decision was made within the constitutional framework but encountered opposition, leading the Supreme Court to issue a stay of execution on the matter.
Saaka also commented on the convention of seating arrangements within parliament. Traditionally, the majority sits to the right of the Speaker, and the minority sits to the left.
However, she noted recent disruptions to this norm, with the minority side taking seats designated for the majority, a situation she equated with breaking established order.
“There are labels for a majority side. There are labels for a minority side. This Parliament starts with a lot of chaos and I don’t think it should end as such. And that is what the majority sides also think.’’
Lawuratu Musah Saaka Member of the NPP Communications team
She argued that, in a structured system like parliament, seating conventions should be respected to maintain order, much like how radio or TV studios designate seats for hosts and guests.
Communication and Transparency from the Majority
Saaka expressed concerns regarding the transparency of the majority group, particularly in how they handled recent parliamentary proceedings.
She admitted that Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s press conference, followed by Kennedy Agyapong’s comments, indicated that the majority could have communicated better with the Speaker regarding their activities.
In Saaka’s view, a lack of decisive action on both sides has contributed to the standoff in parliament.
She suggested that if the Speaker’s ruling still stands on declaring seats vacant, both the majority and minority should work within this framework rather than causing disruptions.
She argued that, instead of escalating tensions, both sides should work collaboratively within parliamentary protocols to resolve these issues.
Call for Forthrightness and Responsibility
Saaka concluded by advising that all members, especially those from the majority, be forthright in their dealings with both the Speaker and the public.
She recommended that the majority group admit any oversight they might have had regarding the Speaker’s rulings and take responsibility for miscommunication, as this would help restore decorum in parliament.
Through her observations, Saaka called for more transparency and mutual respect among parliamentary members, emphasizing that such actions would benefit Ghana’s democratic processes and ultimately serve the people.
In summary, Lawuratu Musah Saaka’s statements underscore the importance of structure, transparency, and respect for conventions within parliament.
Her perspective not only offers insight into recent parliamentary conflicts but also advocates for adherence to the constitution and a cooperative approach to resolving impasses.
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