Features
The day Speaker turned the Chamber into a lecture hall
Friday, December 16, 2021, would go down in history of Ghana’s Parliament. It was the day when the honourable Speaker of Parliament, Rt-Hon Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, for some obvious reasons, decided to turn the Chamber into a complete lecture hall to enlighten members of parliament made up of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucuses about the rules and regulations as well as the laws and the Standing Orders of Parliament.
SPEAKER’S APOLOGY TO GHANAIANS
Incensed by the controversies and brouhaha that transpired in parliament during his absence to seek medical attention in Dubai in the latter part of last year, Speaker Bagbin did not mince words when he apologised to Ghanaians and subsequently condemned members of parliament for the nasty incidents recorded in the House and also for flagrantly flouting and undermining the laws of parliament as well as the Standing Orders that regulate their operations in the Chamber.
LECTURING THE PARLIAMENTARIANS
Behaving like a professor and lecturer addressing his students, the Speaker took his time to dissect the laws of parliament as crafted in the 1992 Constitution, how they regulate and affect the operations and activities in the house, the roles of the substantive Speaker and his two Deputies in the absence of the Speaker as well as actions and setbacks that infringe procedures and processes in the House. It was so interesting and delightful to watch on our television screens as the entire members of parliament kept their silence with attentive ears to listen to the wise counsel by the Number One Gentleman in our August parliament.
The Speaker drew an inference on governance by using himself as an example of the President of Ghana who had sought permission to travel outside the country on official assignment. In his absence, the Vice President, the Number Two Gentleman of the land who stepped in as the caretaker president used his powers to reverse certain decisions that had been taken by the president. He asked whether that would not automatically undermine the authority of the president as stipulated by the law and create a constitutional crisis in the country, thereby affecting governance?
CONTROVERSIES OVER THE PASSAGE OF THE 2022 BUDGET
Apparently, Speaker Bagbin was making reference to the recent brouhaha in parliament over his earlier decision concerning the rejection of the 2022 Budget and the subsequent decision by the Second Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu, Member of Parliament for Bekwai Constituency who sat in the Speaker’s chair during his absence to reverse the rejection decision by the Speaker with what could be described as controversial due processes and procedures and to allow the Majority to approve that same budget, even though the Minority had earlier raised certain objections in the document. That was the genesis of the controversies that sparked off in parliament.
This is not the time to go forward and back about the controversies surrounding the rejection and subsequent approval of the budget because the matter has been largely dealt with.
The Speaker made it clear that having taken his time to read the Order Paper, votes and proceedings and the official reports of the days on the issue, he felt convinced that members should accept the view of conscience of the nation that they owed Ghanaians an apology and he had proceeded to do just that assignment.
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR MPs ABERRATIONS
He said as Head of Parliament, the voice of the Legislature, who speaks for and on behalf of Parliament, hence the title Speaker, he had with all humility apologised on behalf of the House and members for the aberrations of conduct and behaviour of members on those days. According to him he had taken responsibility for what happened in the House and admitted that the House was neither dignified nor exalted by those unruly behaviour of members. He promised to do everything within his power and authority to lead the House to chart a path of transformation, decency and change for the better. He proceeded to state that the conduct of members on those days touched on the legality of decisions arrived at in the House and how they arrived at those decisions. That, he said, would help members to look at those issues dispassionately, in humility, devoid of egos and partisanship.
ALLOWING 1992 CONSTITUTION TO REFLECT MPs OPERATIONS
He then advised the MPs to allow the 1992 Constitution, the enabling laws, precedents and Standing Orders of the House to lead the way and urged them to think about how to strengthen the work of parliament and by extension Ghana’s democratic governance. He admonished them to bear in mind that as MPs, they also represented the people-the citizenry-not just political parties. He described what happened in the chamber as grave disorder with its resultant comedy of errors and warned that he would not take lightly a repeat of such disorder and indiscipline in the House.
Indeed, the Speaker has done what is just and right by apologising to the people of Ghana under whose ticket our MPs rode on to where they are now, for the nasty incident that transpired within parliament during his few days of absence in the country and we need to applaud him for that sterling quality and initiative. He has, indeed, proved that he merited the position he is occupying at the moment and Ghanaians appreciated him for the gesture.
INERTIA CREEPING INTO MPs FOLD
It appears that our parliamentarians are filled with some amount of inertia judging from the way they easily forget some of the laws crafted in the 1992 Constitution and their own Standing Orders regarding their operations in the House. That could either be deliberate or they are just doing that to frustrate and circumvent the laws for their selfish agenda and that is most unfortunate.
This particular shortfall in their operations brings to the fore as to whether there has been continuous refresher courses and training programmes to upgrade themselves in parliamentary processes and procedures. The way the leaders of both sides of the House misinterpreted and misrepresented the laws during the last few weeks in the debate and the passage of the 2022 budget, raises doubt about how they are abreast of issues regarding the operations in parliament.
It is the view of many Ghanaians that as law makers, our MPs need to be conversant with what pertains in the law so that they can easily interpret them with ease without any shred of doubt. That is why Ghanaians applaud the Speaker for the initiative and also setting the tone for more education and update to our parliamentarians to be in tune with the changing trends. More of such briefings are needed periodically to sharpen their skills and intellect on parliamentary processes.
MATURITY IS NEEDED IN MPs WORK
It is important to drum home to our MPs that parliament and for that matter our democracy has come of age, and therefore, our MPs who have been selected through the mandate of the people to lead us must behave responsibly and demonstrate resilience, fortitude and forthrightness as they go about their avowed duties in the August House. They must begin to strengthen their channels of communication and interaction, foster dialogue and consensus building, encourage broader stakeholder consultation and allow the process they have adopted to our young democracy to thrive.
AVOIDANCE OF THE UNNECESSARY CONFRONTATIONS
These unnecessary confrontations, confusion, attacks on one another and chaos within parliament must give way to constructive criticisms to promote peace and development in our dear nation. We salute the Speaker for the profound speech and we hope that the MPs will return from their recess fully refreshed to consider issues raised in the Speaker’s address and apply them for their own good.
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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
