Governance Expert, Michael Ebo Amoah has advised the Majority Leader and Speaker of Parliament to settle their differences in order to ensure the smooth running of Government business.
He furthered that the Majority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu must particularly work hard to mend his relationship with Speaker Alban Bagbin as he may need the support of the speaker when it comes to Government agenda.
He explained that our current parliament cannot boast of an overwhelming majority and as such any Government agenda will need support from both parties as well as the Speaker.
Speaking to Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show, Michael expressed: “Going forward there will be friction. Look at what the speaker said. He said sometimes after he has presided over meetings in the chamber, he hears the majority leader on radio also trying to undermine him and saying things that won’t help the speaker or vehemently disagreeing with the speaker on so many matters and issues. I believe that it is not really healthy for this parliament especially when the majority leader will need the Speaker more; they must build consensus. It is not a parliament that you have dominant majority and so you are going to throw your weight about. We don’t have that kind of parliament”.
The Governance expert believes that if this scuffle continues, it could create distrust between the two and that could ultimately affect Government business or programmes brought before parliament.
Michael was however positive that the Speaker of Parliament and the Majority leader will work to settle their differences. “I know that Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu and Bagbin have come far. So for me, I foresee that even after yesterday, they will go back to their various offices and try and patch things up”, he added.
The two leaders clashed when the Speaker had directed the Minister of Railway Development, John Peter Amewu, to be at his designated seat before moving a motion for the approval of his ministry’s budget.
The Majority Leader however felt the Speaker was not being consistent with his insistence on members speaking from their seats.
The Speaker did not agree with the accusation of inconsistency and it became banter between the two.
The two leaders also had a disagreement over the admission of petition by Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Prince Kofi Amoabeng to investigate the conduct of the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Stock Exchange following the revocation of the license of their respective financial institutions.
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah
