Parliament House Of Law Not Bribery

Parliament, an arm of government through its regular sittings plays roles that are crucial to our democracy, as such; these roles cannot be compromised for anything. Parliament and members of the house including the Speaker and his deputies form the legislative arm of Government. The legislative body is however the arm of Government solely responsible for law making. The Members of Parliament who in simple acronym are termed MPs’ are responsible for making laws to protect the ordinary Ghanaian from all sort of injustice

The parliamentary system practiced in Ghana was modeled entirely after the Westminster system probably because the Great Britain was our colonial master from 1821 till we finally gained our independence in 1957, with a prime minister, who was head of government and a president who was head of state. With time, changes have been made. The fourth republican parliament consequently is characterized by the multiparty, hybrid system which gives room for the appointment of more than half of the ministers of state from parliament, a role in governance among other features. I would like to however give a brief description of the roles of parliament and how crucial these roles are to national development and in protecting the integrity of the state. Four of Its functions are stated below;

1. Law Making:

The most important function of legislature is law making. Ordinary Bills can be introduced by the members of the Parliament or be sponsored by the executive. The Legislative body of the governance process is the machinery that provides room for monitoring the activities of especially the Executive. The law making functions of the house makes parliament very relevant in the democratic system since they are the representation of the 22 million Ghanaians. In the absence of a well constituted Parliament, the country cannot consider any bill for passage. Their acceptance or rejection of a bill however has both economic and social impacts on the country.

2. Control over the Budget:

The legislature has control over the budget of the executive (Government) and without its approval, the executive cannot spend even a single “pesewa” (the smallest denomination of the Ghanaian currency). In view of this, the legislature can in the same way, reduce government’s proposed expenditure in a budget if it finds it overambitious. Parliament has the duty of also ensuring that budgets passed by the house are spent judiciously as budgeted for.

3. Oversight Responsibility:

Parliament reserves the right to ensure that the executive does not abuse its responsibilities, rights and powers accorded them in the constitution. Parliament also has the right to summon the executive to the house for questioning. The Parliament can remove the president, who is the head of the executive through a vote of no confidence. The Parliament can appoint a committee to investigate the affairs of the ministers. The parliament also Vet Ministerial appointees by asking them questions in relation to their appointment and how they intend executing their duties.

4. Amendment of the Constitution:

Lastly, in every democracy, the power to amend the constitution rests with the legislature of that country. If a clause or a part of the constitution seems to be unrealistic to justice and violates upon basic human rights and freedoms, the legislative body or parliament is responsible for deliberating and amending that part of the constitution to ensure it protects its citizens.

In executing these duties and functions, the Constitution stipulates fairness on the part of Parliamentarians and existing bodies within Parliament.

We are quick to state that, Parliament is the wheel to Ghana’s growth and development and as such, the most powerful Arm of Government.

Soon after the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected President, H. E Nana Akuffo Addo appointed Ministers Designate for consideration by Parliament. Now there is a hullabaloo surrounding the vetting proceedings which has to do with bribery allegations whispered on Radio Gold Fm by Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament for Bawku central leveled Minister Designate for Energy, Mr. Boakye Agyarko and the Members of the Appointment Committee. This scandal surrounds Hon. Joseph Osei Owusu, 1^st Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Chairman of the Appointment Committee in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Bekwai Conatituency in the Ashanti Region who has denied this allegation. In the same manner, Hon. Muntaka Mubarak, Minority Chief Whip of Parliament, Ranking Member of the Appointment Committee and Member of Parliament for Asawase in the Ashanti Region has come out to deny same allegation swearing on his faith, been the wheel of distribution of the said bribery monies to members of the Minority on the committee.

How much was the alleged bribery money? It’s GH₵ 3,000.

But, this is not the first time the legislative arm of government has being brought to a greater disrepute. In the year 2014, the Former Majority Leader and Former Minister of State, Hon. Alban S. K. Bagbin, MP, had stated that MPs receive bribe. The statement, captured in an audio recording and in transcript, is widely available on the internet and on social media. From the recording Mr. Bagbin revealed that MPs are also bribed by governments to vote for unpopular government policies. He pulled no punches and missed no words: “at least there are some members who take bribe. And sometimes some governments, both sides, they are coming with some policies to the House that are very, very controversial; that even their members disagree with them. And they have had to influence the members through this bribery.”(MPs Take Bribes: Bagbin Confirms 2014)

Prof. Stephen Adei and Hon. P. C Appiah Ofori, all alludes to same allegations of Parliament engaging in bribery.

Parliament and or its working bodies have a huge task to redeem its image by proving to the very constituents its members represent, the nation and the world at large that it is a House of Law and not Bribery. The outcome and image redemption is what the Hon. Joe Ghartey’s Committee sorts to achieve. But whichever way the outcome, as would be established by the bribery committee, still remains an indictment to Parliament, where it would be seen as concluded that;

1. Truly, there was bribery either given by Hon. Boakye Agyarko through Hon. Joseph Osei Owusu to Hon. Muntaka Mubarak or distributed to Minority Members to approve the nominations of the Minister Designate for Energy.

2. Truly, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, lied on the said bribery allegation which supposes that The House of Parliament is composed of Hon. Members who lie their way through on the floor of the House.

It’s disgraceful, defamatory to members of Parliament, bad signal to the globe and shameful on the good image of the Legislating body and Ghana as a sovereign State. We believe the actors in the bribery saga deserve a severe punishment.

Parliament is a House of law and Honor and must be regarded as such.

NEVER AGAIN SHOULD BE THE WAYFORWARD
™
EAGLE EYE INTERNATIONAL

Originating at quarshie egyer joseph