Features
Cracking the whip on leakers of sensitive and secret information in parliament
Very recently, the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Honourable Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin had the opportunity to caution against the practice of the leakage of sensitive parliamentary documents to the press. Addressing a staff durbar held on April 2, 2022 in the chamber of Parliament, Mr. Bagbin said “the practice reduces the reputation of the institution and what it represents in the eyes of the citizens.” He advised the staff to work as a team to ensure that Ghana’s Legislature attains its vision of developing into a model parliament worthy of emulation by other Legislative institutions.
TIMELY WARNING BY THE SPEAKER
The Speaker has, indeed, hit the nail right on the head by cautioning his charges to be circumspect about the leakage of vital and classified information on proceedings in the august House to some media personnel who for political advantage or expediency will like to twist the contents of these documents for their personal gains. If really what the Speaker is saying reflects the true state of events in parliament, then those engaged in that criminal and dastardly act must bow their heads in shame.
The parliamentarians and indeed, the entire staff of the Parliamentary Service should by now know that the institution in which they belong, which is the second arm of government- the Executive being the first and the judiciary being the third, is the most sensitive, crucial and important body in our dear country as far as democratic governance is concerned. It is a house of records, therefore, everything it does must be kept secret and well protected. If in an attempt to expose and malign the authority of this noble institution, some aggrieved members will go to the extent of releasing classified and official secret document to the media, then we are not safe in this country. The institution of parliament must be equated to National Security where vital information is kept from the public knowledge because it has the tendency to create confusion and sometimes destabilise the country.
PARLIAMENTARY FUNCTIONS
Parliament which is made up of all representatives of various constituents across the country, controls and guides the government in the day to day administration of governance. It is the ultimate authority for making laws. Across the globe, Parliament in any nation, has the powers to abolish an existing law, replace the old abolished law with new law, amend existing laws and create new laws.
The 1992 Constitution of Ghana has given our parliament a huge oversight responsibility and a lot of power to carry out various functions of holding a check on the Executive on public expenditure as well as being accountable to the people who gave them their mandate to rule this country. Parliament, as a strong institution, has the power to determine its own procedure and agenda and neither the President nor even the courts may interfere in its internal affairs.
IMMUNITY ENJOYED BY PARLIAMENT
Our Parliament enjoys a wide scope of immunity, even from court processes as provided for under the constitution. Quite apart from this internal provisions, our constitution gives parliament the power and authority to disapprove public expenditure, grants, loans, taxes and even the entire national budget. This presupposes that nothing can be done by government and for that matter the Executive arm without the approval of parliament. The appointment of Ministers, Article 71 office holders which include the Chief Justice and the Justices of the Supreme Court as well as other appointments in key positions in the various sectors of the economy is done with the tacit endorsement by parliament. That in essence shows how powerful this great institution is as far as our young democracy is concerned.
CURRENT COMPOSITION OF PARLIAMENT
Currently, the membership of our parliament which is significantly a two-party state is a hung parliament with no absolute majority of legislators. Out of the total 275 seats, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition National Democratic Congress have a split vote of 137-137 respectively with one independent member who has decided to align himself to the ruling NPP. Unlike the previous parliament in which the Speaker normally came from the ruling party, this time round, we have a Speaker came from the opposition NDC. The situation now has made parliament very active, especially in this hung parliament. Even though, at times, there are delays in the passage of some of the bills such as the controversial E-Levy (Electronic Transaction) Bill, which took about five months before approval and passage, the Speaker to some extent, has been resolute and firm in dealing with issues in the house. The two deputies, Messrs Joseph Osei-Owusu (First Deputy) and MP for Bekwai and Andrew Asiamah Amoako (Second Deputy), the only independent candidate, have all performed well so far.
Currently, the house has 40 female MPs with 20 each from both the ruling NPP and the opposition NDC. Even though the representation of women in our parliament continues to be very low, those available continue to make an impact in parliamentary proceedings as they articulate the concerns of their constituents effectively.
CONSULTATION AND CONSENSUS BUILDING AMONG MPs
It is important to state that the present state of our parliament where there is no clear majority in the house with the two main parties having 137-137 MPs, demands that there should be adequate consultations by the two parties as well as dialogue and consensus building to avoid the unnecessary conflicts which continue to be the bane in the house most recently. The lack of consultation and consensus building between these two parties in recent times, generated heated arguments and in some cases resulted in commotion and fight among our MPs.
That lack of trust between the two parties in the house in which one party would like to outdo the other, has necessitated the leakage of vital and official documents to media personnel sympathetic to each other to either publish or air information to defame or malign the two parties. It is time for our MPs to know that the positions they occupy are so sensitive, therefore, they ought to behave maturely and professionally.
LIVING UP TO THAT TITLE HONOURABLE
For the Speaker to have cautioned members and, indeed, the staff of the Parliamentary Service to stop giving out parliamentary documents to the press presupposes that the practice is on-going in the house and this must stop immediately to protect the integrity and sanctity of our august Parliament. Members should know that the people gave them their mandate to represent and serve their interests in parliament not to involve themselves in issues detrimental to the progress of our dear country. We call them honourable and we expect them to do things that will conform to the titles we have bestowed on them.
It is time the leadership of the House for that matter the Speaker took steps to crack the whip to stop all the negative acts including the leakages of vital and sensitive documents to the media to protect the integrity of Parliament and make it more sensitive and proactive in its avowed constitutional mandate in Ghana.
Contact email/WhatsApp of author:
0277753946/0248933366
By Charles Neequaye
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
News1 week agoNFS, AACMA raise GH¢300K for new fire tender
- News7 days ago
FSD Africa, others launch Green Project Preparation Facility to unlock investment in climate infrastructure in Ghana
- News7 days ago
Merck Foundation holds 13th Africa Asia Luminary with 12 First Ladies to advance healthcare capacity across Africa and Asia
