Our Parliament is not Taken Seriously – Speaker
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Kingsford Alban Sumana Bagbin has stated that the country downplays and trivialises the lawmaking institution of the country.
In spite of being recognized as the symbol of democracy, he noted that the arm of government is not given the requisite recognition it deserves.
He said this during a meeting with the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on June 30, 2024, at the Manhyia Palace as part of his three-day visit to the Ashanti Region for the nationwide activities marking the 30th anniversary celebration of the Fourth Republic.
As he sought permission and the blessing of Otumfuo to undertake the series of slated activities including a public forum and a Mock Parliament, he said, “…His Excellency the President launched the Celebration of the 30th Anniversary, we in Parliament decided to take it seriously to relaunch it and to reach out to all Ghanaians. I understand why they can go and rest after the launch. The sense of government is usually vested in Parliament and we saw what happened in Kenya recently. In Tanzania, it’s happened.
“Parliament is not the one that initiated the policy to tax the Kenyans but when the demonstration started, they didn’t demonstrate to the office of the President. They demonstrated to Parliament and burnt Parliament. And so we the Parliamentarians are seen as the symbol, the epitome, pillar of democracy but in our practice, Parliament is not taken seriously.”
The Speaker will host a public forum on Monday, July 1, 2024, and then a Mock Parliament on July 2 as part of the celebration.
He was accompanied to the Palace by his wife, Linda Ofosuaa, the Second Deputy Speaker, Hon Andrew Adomako Asiamah, the MP for Asokwa, Hon Patricia Appiagyei, the MP for Sekyere Afram Plains, Hon Alexander Adomako Mensah, the MP for Asante Akim Central, Hon Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, Clerks of Parliament and other Parliamentary staff.
