We of the CDF are totally amazed though somewhat not too surprised that the leadership of the NDC has so far made no public statement denouncing the despicable and irresponsible behaviour of its leadership in parliament to date. We are therefore calling on the NDC leadership, which appears to be in some disarray and internally combusting to issue a statement condemning the actions of its leadership in parliament and relieve both the Majority and House Leader Cletus Avoka and his side-kick Mr Rashid Pelpuo, who serves as the Dep Minority Leader of their jobs as they have brought Ghana’s parliament into disrepute.
We note that until recently, Ghana’s parliament was considered as exemplary and the toast of all free and democratic people across the world. We have heard the commendation of Ghana’s democracy in every corner of the world. The reputation of Ghana’ parliament was such that it was constantly cited as a success story in Africa by world leaders. This culminated into the newly elected President of America President Barrack Obama choosing Ghana as his first destination for a state visit in Africa south of the Sahara without any hesitation and what a popular decision it was. Ghana’s democratic credentials were unparalleled in Africa only a few years ago.
The deftness which the likes of Hon Paapa Owusu-Ankamah handled a majority of 2 in parliament was noted, respected and applauded by all. It was normally almost impossible for government bills and legislation to be passed with such tiny majorities and as such circumstances invariably lead to deadlock and a shutdown of government. However, on the contrary, Ghana’s parliament under an excellent leadership rose to its challenges and many effective bills were passed for the good of Ghana in the period where the NPP had a very tiny majority.
The period of the Avoka/Pelpuo comedy has seen the image of parliament plummeting into an abyss and continues to erode with countless goofs through in effective direction from the leaders of the House. Ministers have failed to turn up to parliament to answer questions, officials who are strangers in parliament are allowed to present papers on behalf of Ministers etc. Basic parliamentary procedures are flagrantly flouted such that standing orders are increasingly becoming irrelevant under the current parliamentary leadership.
It has taken the Minority side in parliament, on several occasions, to redirect parliament on the proper way of doing things. On that score, CDF will want to commend the Minority Leader Hon Kyei Mensah-Bonsu for his good work and also want to single out good parliamentarians such as Hon Joe Ghartey, Hon Osei-Prempeh, Hon Alban Babgin and Hon Osei-Wusu for keeping watch and ensuring that parliamentary procedures are respected.
It is increasingly clear that the current parliamentary leadership is not up to the task of leading such an august house. Both Cletus Avoka and Rashid Pelpuo are so inefficient and ineffective they are lowering the standards of our democracy. These Ministers have failed in other Ministries in the past and were sent to parliament which was considered by President Mills as less onerous positions. Unfortunately, the President who the CDF understands needs coffee to wake up from his slumber, has got his sums wrong again.
We of the CDF are totally especially dismayed at the irresponsibility of the Dep Minority Leader Raship Pelpuo as his actions and behaviour on the day undermined the authority of the Speaker, his behaviour was not exemplary and akin to the flagrant, intolerant and errant behaviour of NDC footsoldiers. We are aware that the Speaker of the House acts as the President of the Republic in the absence of the President and his Vice. For a person of such authority and calm disposition as Justice Joyce Bamford Addo to walk out of her job demonstrates the extent to which she is being pushed by the NDC leadership in parliament. We have combed parliamentary Hansards and records of major parliamentary democracies all over the world and cannot find a parallel, where the Speaker has to walk out of the House in disgust. Whiter are we drifting as a country?
The culture of lawlessness and indiscipline should be stopped. We are further calling on civil societies to take note of the unacceptable behaviour and arrogance of the NDC leadership in parliament and call it to order. Ghana cannot afford to continue eroding our democratic credentials at the altar of stark inefficiency, ineptitude and irresponsibility.
It is in this regards that we are requesting that the NDC leadership to relieve the NDC parliamentary leadership of their duties and appoint competent persons into the role forthwith. Any failure of the NDC to take action will tantamount to acquiescence and support of the actions of its parliamentary leadership.
Again, and most importantly we will take it as a deliberate attempt to undermine the Speaker of the House at the least opportunity as we can poignantly recall the President, President John Atta-Mills failure to acknowledge the Chief Justice during his 3rd State of the Nation address to Parliament earlier this year which led to all manner of problems for the Speaker in parliament.
Finally, we of the CDF will continue to monitor what actions are being taken by the embattled President (who is currently engaged on a fierce battle to remain as his party’s leader) and will advice ourselves of our next action if President John Atta-Mills and the NDC leadership fails to act decisively on the issue of undermining the Speaker with any lame argument, such that we are able as a people to once again restore the integrity of Ghana’s parliament.
Signed:
George Egbenunya
Tel: 00233209387257
Michael Omari-Wadie
Tel: 00233242270877
Abu Ramadan
00233244570006
Dated: 22nd May 2011
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