Editorial: NDC should not use its power capriciously in Parliament

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament, has reportedly warned his counterpart from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, that unlike the 7th Parliament where they had the numbers and were able to get through business in the house without the support of his outfit, the 8th Parliament won’t be easy for him, since the numbers are equal.

He, therefore, called on his colleague to, first of all, respect the views of the NDC Caucus, cooperate, and build consensus with them.  “In the 7th Parliament, the Honorable Osei-Kyei Mensah had it easy, because he had the comfort of numbers. This time he does not, and he cannot.

“What he must understand this time; he will need us going forward. The Constitution requires there should be a two-thirds majority to transact some business. You don’t have it; you will need it. So, you must respect us, no matter what. In this 8th Parliament, cooperation and consensus is very paramount to the business that we will transact,” Haruna was quoted as saying.

Though Mr Haruna Iddrisu told the truth about the current structure of Parliament and that the government side must always build consensus with the opposition, this advantage that has availed itself to the NDC, in the view of The Chronicle, should not be used capriciously.

The MPs representing the NDC were elected to protect the interest of Ghanaians. If the government is, therefore, coming out with a bill or loan agreement that would be inimical to the survival of the people, they have every right to shoot it down.

This, we must point out, does not, however, mean that because  Mr Haruna and his group are in opposition, they must always oppose every initiative of the government, even if it will serve the interests of their constituents, just because they want to paint the government black and gain huge electoral advantage from it.

The NDC Caucus must not be opposing a bill or loan agreement without grounding their opposition in sound analysis that will convince Ghanaians that they are, indeed, serving the best interests of Mother Ghana.

The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has already told Ghanaians that he would not allow the Legislative House to become a rubber stamp for the executive, neither would he become an obstructive instrument in the hands of any interested party.

This is a major and commendable statement from the Speaker, whose wealth of experience as legislator cannot be downplayed by anyone. It is the hope of The Chronicle that Mr Haruna and his colleagues would take a cue from this and serve the best interests of Ghanaians.

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