News:
Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin
May 25, 2022
Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin has set the record straight by saying he never said he disagrees with the Supreme Court’s ruling as alluded to by the Majority Leader Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu in his remarks.
According to him, he said; “we may disagree with the ruling of the Supreme Court but we are bound by their decision. We have to comply and obey them, a platform is being provided is not to interrogate the ruling of the Supreme Court”.
And added that Parliament cannot review its Standing Orders alone but need to hold a forum where inputs from their partners from civil society, academia to have discussion on the implications and effects of the ruling.
In speakers communication to the House, he noted that Parliament will dedicate more attention on its oversight function, whiles they continue to put in all legal efforts and processes to consolidate the strengthening of the Institution of Parliament and the empowerment of members to perform their duties and responsibilities effectively and responsively, in this second session, and take further vigorous steps to strengthen the hand of the House to hold government and state institutions accountable to the people for the power, trust, resources and hope reposed in them.
The Executive President, assisted by the cabinet and state institutions, shall be called upon to account for the stewardship of the country.
Parliament itself must be open, transparent and accountable to the people. As the saying goes, “Charity begins at home”, the constitutional and legal head of the institution of Parliament, the spokesperson, the arbitrator and guarantor of its authority, independence and privileges, “I pledge to lead this effort by example”.
The Speaker urged Committees to comply with the provisions of the Standing Orders and report to the House, the reason for the delay in submitting a number of reports on referrals pending before them. Committees such as Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Privileges, Subsidiary Legislation and some sector Committees, Land and Forestry, among others are breaching the rules. The Standing Orders Committee may be compelled to take action against such Committees, he stated.
Additionally, he called on the Business Committee as well as leadership of the caucuses to dialogue more often, using the well-known usual channels of communication in the conduct of the business of the House.
“We must eschew excessive partisanship, demonstrate concern for the plight of the ordinary citizen and chart the path that will help ameliorate the pain and suffering of Ghanaians”, the Speaker admonished.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com