Parliament suffering from political patronage by Executive – Speaker Bagbin
Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin, has indicated that his administration will fight against what he termed, political patronage.
According to the Speaker, Members of Parliament have been rendered incapable of criticising government since the Executive buys them with positions on boards of some state institutions.
“Parliament today, the governing party always has members bought by the Executive through patronage. They are made chairs of boards, members of boards, Chief Executives of some institutions and they are Members of Parliament. How can you come and criticize the same thing you are involved in? That is political patronage.”
Speaker Alban Bagbin noted that it is unconstitutional for members of the Legislature to take up such positions without following due process.
“Don’t allow money and political patronage,” the Speaker urged MPs; adding that this “is one of the things we intend to fight within this two and half years. So that by the time we get to 2025, we have a different ball game.”
Speaking at the swearing-in of the new leadership of the parliamentary press corps on Monday, he explained that per the 1992 Constitution, certification must be issued by the Speaker to MPs who intend to hold an office for profit.
The Speaker pointed fingers at the President for perpetuating such illegality. Mr Alban Bagbin stressed that he will not be part of such a governance system since he can stir his own affairs.
“When usually the President breathes over their shoulders and when they have a mob of a large number of Majority pushing them behind, (they) do what they think is right for them to do. I am not on that pressure and I can sail my own boat. Before anybody is given that appointment, the Speaker must give them certification.”
He added that, “it is not for the President to just sit down and dictate and co-opt everybody and leave Parliament with only the Minority to be critical of government’s actions and inactions.”
He reiterated that his administration will see to the end of political patronage as “that is not helpful to our democracy and we have to crack the whip on this matter.”
“Maka a Maka” to wit “I have said it”, the Speaker remarked to assure his commitment to fighting the challenge.
Source: Ghana News
