Fond memories of parliamentary debates
Since the beginning of the year, I have been reflecting on some of the news makers of our time who sacrificed their lives to advance the interest and cause of this country.
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These people have worked to ensure that our beloved nation did not slump into the era of colonialism but moved on and stabilised the achievements that were chalked up during this momentous period of our country’s history.
My reflections focussed on the heroes and heroines who worked tirelessly during the pre-independence era, charcterised by the political struggles that took place during which the political protagonists laid down their lives to ensure an independent Ghana.
Of course, there were those who later worked hard to consolidate the gains that were made after independence. These same people were desirous that we never looked back but rather saw to it that Ghana grew from strength to strength.
Inasmuch as I wish to celebrate our political players for their exploits which contributed in putting this small West African nation on the international radar, I still believe the citizenry expect more selflessness and commitment from our political leaders.
Interestingly, I have been politically alive and was a living witness to the political development that led to the birth of the Fourth Republic, including the referendum that endorsed that constitutional document and the subsequent elections that ushered in Jerry Rawlings as the first President of the Fourth Republic and the almost one-sided parliament which was the result of a boycott of the parliamentary election in 1992.
Even though the House at the time was dominated by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), there were some parliamentarians from the Progressive Alliance, the National Convention Party (NCP) and the EGLE Party who distinguished themselves in the deliberations that took place in the House.
I still remember the role of the late Bawku Central MP, Hawa Yakubu, then an Independent MP, who always took the House by storm with her rich, incisive and critical contributions, which usually hurt the executive arm of government.
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There were also the likes of Dr Owusu Agyekum, the Minority Leader and MP for Birim North; Mr Samuel Nuamah Donkor (NCP), MP for New Juaben North; Madam Mary Stella Ankomah (NCP), MP for Mpohor Wassa East; and Owuraku Amofa (EGLE) MP for Abuakwa, who torpedoed Mr Ekwow Spio Garbrah’s first ambition to be appointed a Minister of State because he was not a registered voter.
There were other legislators on the majority side such as Mr J.H. Owusu Acheampong, MP for Berekum, and the late Albert Bosumtwi Sam, MP for Takoradi, who also excited the House with their contributions.
In the second parliament of the Fourth Republic, the House came alive when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the People’s Convention Party (PCP) as well as the People’s National Convention secured some seats in the House.
That was the time in the history of the Fourth Republic that Ghanaians were really excited with the output in the legislature, which courted a huge following of the deliberations of the House.
The likes of J.H. Mensah (NPP), Sunyani East; the late Kwadwo Baah Wiredu (NPP), MP for Asante Akim North; Paapa Owusu Ankomah (NPP), MP for Sekondi; Kofi Konadu Apraku (NPP), MP for Offinso North; Abraham Ossei Aidoo (NPP), MP for Tema West; Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP) MP for Abuakwa; Hackman Owusu Agyeman (NPP), New Juaben North readily comes to mind.
Others were the late Mrs Gladys Asmah (NPP), MP for Takoradi; Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu (NPP), MP for Old Tafo Suame; Christie Churcher (NPP), MP for Cape Coast; Theresa Amerley Tagoe (NPP), Ablekuma South; Yaw Osafo Marfo (NPP), Akyem Oda; and Kwamena Bartels, Ablekuma North, among others.
Interestingly, when the NDC went into opposition in 2001, the tide in the House changed when the likes of Mohammed Mumuni, MP for Kumbugu; Alban Sumanu Bagbin, MP for Nadowli North; John Dramani Mahama, MP for Bole; Kosi Kedem, Hohoe South; Dr Kwabena Adjei (Majority Leader), Biakoye; Steve Akorli, Ho East; and the late Clend Mawuko Sowu, MP for Anlo (who always stirred controversy), among others, were vociferous and consistent in holding the NPP in check.
Currently, in the fourth parliament of the Fourth Republic, there are some fine and brilliant MPs, but it appears the citizenry are not very excited about what goes on in the House because the dynamics have changed.
Additionally, many MPs are more interested in contributing to radio and television discussions rather than being heard on the floor of the House.
In some cases, the quality of argument and the partisan nature of their presentations put people off. There are times that they sound illogical and economical with the truth.
This piece is not to downgrade the honourable members and women in the House but to draw attention to the lack of quality debates that are usually expected in the proceedings of the House.
As the country is getting ready for the polls in November, it is my expectation that the electorate would sift through the candidates that are presented to them and choose knowledgeable and level-headed persons to represent them in the House.
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The duty of the legislator is to make laws and people with some requisite knowledge and discerning minds are the capable and ideal ones needed in the House.
I will also entreat our honourable members to be decorous when contributing to debates and discussions in the media, especially radio and television, because what we hear them say informs our perception of them.