.... And The Minority Walked Out”

“ Since the inception of the fourth Republic in 1992, I have had keen interest in parliamentary democracy and nurturing the ambition to be a Member of Parliament for my constituency until recently when certain dishonourable members of the house have individually and severally brought the name of Parliament into disrepute. When Parliament endorsed a US$5 billion ‘IFC’ loan from a hairdresser’s salon on the Hammersmith Road in London, my faith began to dwindle. Although it was crystal clear that, this was going to be a shoddy deal, the then majority (now minority) was so resolute about the deal to the extent that they almost bamboozled and embarrassed the whole of the nation into this preposterous act. I became more demoralised when Hon. Kyei Mensah-Bonsu and his colleagues used their numbers to insist that even though Dishonourable Eric Amoateng had been busted in the US for drug trafficking, the drug baron still deserved to be paid a salary. This criminality continued for years at the expense of the tax payer. Though there was an overwhelming suspicion about the GT-Vodafone deal, the ever bellicose and belligerent Majority (now Minority) used their numbers to have their way. After the Ex-gratia brouhaha, the sanctity, sovereignty and operations of the House of Legislature had been brought to question. In fact, some MPs and the general public alike have not been able to unravel the mysterious way and manner the Chinery Hesse report was whimsically and capriciously laid before the house and allegedly approved. Since then, questions have been asked as to whether our MPs are meticulous in their approach to national issues, or apply due diligence in their modus operandi or are just a bunch of self–centred individuals who do not care about what the suffering masses are saying. I was therefore not in the least perturbed when Sekyi- Hughes made away with millions of state assets in the name of a bogus convention. The minority leader, Hon. Kyei Mensah-Bonsu (Chairman of the PSB) and cohorts who made up the Parliamentary Service Board found it more expedient to exonerate Sekyi-Hughes. This action was the nail that nailed the coffin as far my interest in becoming an MP, was concerned.

Fellow Ghanaians, it is instructive to note that in taking their oath of office, each MP swore in the name of the Almighty God to bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic Of Ghana as by law established and that he/she would faithfully and conscientiously discharge the duties of an MP. I did a sober reflection on the lexical as well as the contextual meaning of the oath and juxtaposed it against the actions of our MPs. I must confess that I did weep like a baby since the thought of the status quo against the dreams of the fighters of Parliamentary democracy and the diction of the oath leaves me with no other option than to break down in tears for Mother Ghana.

I got to the Chamber of Parliament and to my utmost dismay; the house was less than a quarter full. I was shocked to my bone marrow at the scene since these were the same people who were recently ranting because of ex-gratia and $50,000.00 car loan. The house started the debate on the Economic Governance and Poverty Reduction Agreement between the government and International Development Association for $300 million for government support. When the NPP MP for Bimbilla-Mr. Dominic Ntiwul took his turn to exercise his parliamentary duty, he trivialised the debate by saying that the amount when approved would be misapplied on khebarb, tea, etc. This was an obvious allusion to the transitional committee expenditure and the Muntaka “Wahala”. In a sharp rebuttal, Mr. Twumasi Appiah-the MP for Sene said that if what he heard on the radio by Hon. P. C Appiah Ofori that some MPs had received $5000 for endorsing the Vodafone agreement is true, then there had been misapplication in the past. Dr. Akoto and Hon Dery asked Hon. Twumasi Appiah to withraw the comment. Just as Hon. Twumasi Appiah was about to withdraw the allegation at the instance of the Speaker, the Minority caucus staged a walk out. They numbered about 30.

Comarades, the action of the Minority is mind boggling and any attempt to rationalise is makes it more unreasonable. As per standing order 93 (2), 28 and 30, member are supposed to use proper language and making factual statement during debates. It is equally useful to note that any member who flouts the Standing Order is reported to the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges and the procedure had been explicitly captured in articles 115 and 116 of the Constitution of the Republic Of Ghana. This could last as long as one month.

Is it therefore logical for the Minority Caucus present (about 30 of them) to decide on behalf of their other colleagues that they will participate in the discussions in the House but will never vote on issues till the matter is conclusively determined by the Privileges Committee? Any legal jurisprudence requires that all courts like the Privileges Committee cannot have membership of people who have an interest in the case. Our law makers cannot pretend to be unaware of the fact that such an action militates against the principle of natural Justice. In any case are they by the stretch of their arguments suggesting that members of the Committee, in deciding the matter will exercise their franchise? Will any of them in the clearness of thought vote to exonerate Hon. P.C. Appiah Ofori will vindicate the Minority Caucus of which they are a part of? Will they always stage a walk out when someone makes an allegation against any or all of them? Will they have walked out if the house was discussing their ex-gratia or car loan?

Considering the urgency with which the Government needs the World Bank loan so as to enable it embark on various developmental projects for their constituencies, I think these MPs have not only lost the goodwill of the masses who voted for them but have maliciously sabotaged government effort to fix the broken economy. I will therefore suggest that the Majority goes ahead to approve the loan through all the due diligence expected of them. The whole nation cannot be held in ransom because of cronies who are refusing to realise that they are out of power. I must say that Ghana is bigger than the political idiosyncrasies of politicians with bloated ego and no passion for the masses who voted them into office. I am personally going to embark on a campaign to ensure that those MPs will not have their mandate renewed if they don’t go back to the house perform their constitutional duties.

Thank you.

By: Mr. Justice Kuts Email: [email protected]