Concerns of MPs must not be treated as a variable

The advent of democracy in Ghana under the 1992 Fourth Republican Constitution created three powers of state, popularly referred to as the three arms of government — the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.

Executive power is vested in the President, who appoints the ministers of state to work with, while judicial power is vested in the Judiciary, with the function of Parliament being to make laws within the framework of the Constitution.

The function of the President, and for that matter the Executive, is to execute the Constitution and the laws made by Parliament. The function of the Judiciary is to interpret the Constitution and also serve as a bulwark against the arbitrariness of state power, while Parliament makes laws, holds the purse strings of the government and has oversight over the functions of the Executive.

Under the principle of separation of powers, each branch is independent, has a separate function and may not usurp the functions of another branch. However, the branches are interrelated. They co-operate with and prevent one another from attempting to assume too much power. 

This relationship is described as one of checks and balances, where the functions of one branch serve to contain and modify the powers of another. 

Through this elaborate system of safeguards, the framers of the Constitution sought to protect the nation against tyranny and promote the rule of law, the judicious use of resources and free expression.

This arrangement, therefore, brings to the fore the importance and indispensability of each arm of government in the sustenance of our democracy.

However, events of recent times point to the fact that two arms of government — the Executive and the Judiciary — are given preferential treatment, to the near neglect of the Legislature, made up of the immediate representatives of the people.

The President and his ministers, as well as our judges, are assigned police protection around the clock, but unfortunately, Members of Parliament (MPs) are not.

The killing of the MP for Abuakwa North, Mr J.B. Danquah-Adu, remains fresh in the minds of Ghanaians, while just a few days ago armed robbers invaded the home of another MP, Mr Dan Botwe, and made away with valuables.

The story would have been different but for the intervention of God, according to the MP.Our democracy cannot thrive when our MPs continue to live in a state of fear, insecurity and uncertainty.

Unfortunately, when concerns over the welfare of our lawmakers are raised, those concerns are often treated with disdain and seen as a variable.The entrenchment of our democratic culture hinges a lot on the respect we accord the three arms of government.

We do not seek to create disaffection for the Executive and the Judiciary, but we all know that the rights and privileges accorded our MPs are quite different from those accorded the members of the other two arms.

Judges and ministers, in addition to police protection, enjoy free accommodation and transport. But, unfortunately, MPs take loans to buy their own cars and yet members of the public are uncomfortable with that arrangement.

However, the state should guarantee the safety of their persons, families and properties. That is why the Daily Graphic believes that, as a matter of urgency, our MPs must be given the needed protection, just as members of the other arms of government are given.

The representatives of our people should be able to go about their work assured that their safety is secured.We believe that this is key to making them more productive in the tasks given to them by the Constitution.