The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament has warned that the 1992 Constitution and laws of Ghana have already given too much power to presidents.
These, he said, should not be amplified any further especially by Members of Parliament who continually attribute Ghana’s democratic success to only presidents.
He noted that the success of the country in governance and development is the result of collective action of the entire country; institutions, officials and ordinary Ghanaians.
Hon. Alban Sumani Bagbin stated these during debate on a loan facility with the International Development Association (IDA) for US$35.00 million to finance the Ghana COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project (EPRP).
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He argued that to, therefore, talk as if only presidents and former presidents have done or are doing all the work is wrong.
He said, “Our discourse sees nobody apart from presidents as if the rest of us are nothing and that we don’t do anything.”
“So everything is the vision of the President of the day and everything that is done is the president of the day.”
“That is not helping the development of democracy in this country,” he added.
Hon. Alban Bagbin was compelled to correct this innuendo after two members from the majority and minority sides argued about who has contributed more to the state between these two personalities.
The Second Deputy Speaker described the suggestions as totally wrong and argued all Ghanaians have supported the growth of the country every step of the way and therefore the achievements are not just for these two individuals.
He urged members to also remember the contribution of others in the development of the country when they speak on the floor.
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Ghana’s democratic development, he stressed, is not the exclusive achievement of any particular president but the collective work of the entire Ghanaian public.
He called for change, stressing that Parliament is expected to show leadership and warned, “You cannot continue this way.”
“Please, let’s acknowledge our contribution and appreciate what every individual in this country is contributing to the development of the nation.”
“Let’s not talk of only presidents and former presidents as if for all these years we have done nothing.”
“That is autocracy and not a democracy, and it is not right” he stated.
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By Uthman A. Marani/Frontpageghana.com/Ghana
