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Fri, 24 Jan 2025 Politics

Mahama’s reset agenda will be in jeopardy if 9th Parliament becomes rubber stamp — ACEPA

Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr. Rasheed DramanExecutive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr. Rasheed Draman

The Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr. Rasheed Draman, has cautioned that President John Dramani Mahama’s administration will only succeed if Parliament effectively exercises its oversight role.

He expressed concern over the possibility of the 9th Parliament, where the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) holds an absolute majority of over 180 members, becoming a “rubber stamp” for the executive rather than prioritizing the public interest.

Speaking on Accra-based JoyNews’ AM Show on Friday, January 24, Dr. Draman stated, “To reset Ghana, for me, if I look at things from the perspective of Parliament, it is to ensure that we have a Parliament that is not overly partisan, a Parliament that would do the work of our country, a Parliament that is not going to be a rubber stamp because of the huge numbers that the NDC has, that would endorse everything that comes from Jubilee House.”

He also urged the new majority caucus leadership, led by Bawku Central Member of Parliament Mahama Ayariga, to create space for the minority caucus to effectively contribute to governance.

According to him, without an active minority, there is a high likelihood that Parliament will fall into old habits, which could threaten President Mahama’s reset agenda.

“I think we’ve heard Mahama make a very clear statement about the fact that he’s going to give space to the minority. Despite the dwindled numbers of the NPP, I think they have a very important role to play, and they need to be given that space,” Dr. Draman emphasized.

He added, “We want a leader or a leadership of the majority that will be tolerant, open to criticism, open to dialogue, and, more importantly, open to negotiation, even if they can always have their way. All these, for me, would indicate that we are serious about resetting Ghana. If it becomes business as usual and we see a Parliament that is always shouting in favor of the executive, then I guess this agenda for reset is in jeopardy.”

Isaac Donkor Distinguished
Isaac Donkor Distinguished

Is a journalist with a keen interest in politics, current affairs, and social issuesPage: isaac-donkor-distinguished

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