MPs removal: ‘We have turned our MPs into mindless robots’ — Manasseh Azure

Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has lamented the growing trend of political control over Members of Parliament (MPs), arguing that it threatens parliamentary independence and undermines Ghana’s democracy.

In a social post shared on October 22, Manasseh expressed concerns about the expulsion of MPs for contesting elections independently of their parties, describing such actions as detrimental to the integrity of the legislative process.

Manasseh’s remarks come in the wake of debates about whether MPs should lose their parliamentary seats if they decide to run as independent candidates in future elections.

He pointed to the precedent set in 2020, when Speaker Mike Oquaye expelled the Fomena MP for contesting as an independent candidate, calling it a “wrong precedent.”

“So, if an MP intends to contest the next election outside his party, he can lose his party membership but not his current membership in parliament,” Manasseh stated.

He emphasized that MPs are elected by their entire constituencies, not just their party members, and are therefore expected to serve the national interest by passing laws, scrutinizing executive actions, and approving loans on behalf of all Ghanaians.

The journalist warned that expelling MPs for going independent would make them beholden to their parties, unable to take stances that might conflict with party interests, even if those stances serve the broader national good.

“Expelling MPs because of their intention to contest as independent candidates would make MPs dummies. They would support everything their party wants. It weakens parliament and our democracy,” he asserted.

Manasseh explained that such a practice would turn MPs into “mindless robots” who blindly follow their party’s agenda, regardless of how it affects the country.

Manasseh further noted that political parties can use internal primaries to undermine MPs who challenge the party line, even when those MPs are fighting for the national interest.

He described this as a major flaw in Ghana’s political system, where MPs feel compelled to align with their party’s stance, fearing they will be sabotaged in future elections.

“A party can engineer the defeat of an MP who fights for the national interest. The parties can sabotage such MPs in the internal primaries or national elections. But the MP may be fighting for the national interest, which may be against the party’s parochial interest,” he explained.

According to Manasseh, punishing MPs for stepping outside party boundaries removes the incentive for them to act independently or make tough decisions that might go against party lines.

He expressed concern that Ghana’s democracy is increasingly suffering from this dynamic, where lawmakers are afraid to challenge their parties for fear of political retribution.

“If that MP is again punished with expulsion from the current parliament, what will be the incentive to stand firm and do what is right, even if it’s against one’s party?” he questioned.