By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, Jan 8, GNA – Ghana’s Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic, which officially came to a close at midnight of January 07 with the swearing-in of the Ninth Parliament, left an indelible mark on the country’s legislative landscape.
During its tenure with the swearing-in of the 275 Members of Parliament (MPs) on Thursday, January 7, 2021, Parliament witnessed significant developments, in the matter of Bills, controversies, and debates that shaped the nation’s governance and policies.
As a Parliament which started dramatically, the end also came with both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucuses claiming to be the Majority side.
Let’s explore some of the major happenings.
A Hung Parliament
The results of the Parliamentary elections in 2020 became the first in history when the NPP and NDC won 137 seats each out of the 275 seats in Parliament. This became problematic as it was not easy to determine which Party became the Majority in the House.
However, the Independent Candidate who won in Fomena, a former NPP MP, was left with the decision to choose a Party to do business with and he tilted towards the NPP which made the Party the Majority Caucus in the Eighth Parliament.
An Opposition Member of the NDC Became Speaker
Per Articles 95, 96 and 100 (2) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, Parliament is mandated to elect a Speaker and two Deputies. In 2021, a former NDC MP, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin was elected as Speaker to preside over proceedings of the Eighth Parliament after he polled 138 votes out of the 275 votes cast by the MPs on the dawn of Thursday, January 7 2021.
Speaker Bagbin’s extensive experience played a pivotal role in navigating the dynamics of a hung parliament.
Ballot Theft
During the vote to elect the Speaker of the Eighth Parliament, Mr Carlos Ahenkorah, a former NPP MP for Tema West snatched the ballot papers while counting was underway and fled with it. He was later apprended by other MPs and the NPP Candidate, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, a former Speaker of the Seventh Parliament lost the votes to Speaker Bagbin.
An Independent MP Became a Second Deputy Speaker
Article 96 of the 1992 Constitution stipulates that at the commencement of every Parliament or as may be necessary, the House shall elect two Deputy Speakers. As a result, Mr Andrew Assiamah Amoako, was elected as the second Deputy Speaker by the MPs even though he ran as an Independent candidate in the 2020 election after being sacked from the NPP.
Some NPP MPs Called for the Sacking of a Former Finance Minister #KenMustGo
On Tuesday, October 25 2022, some NPP MPs called on former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to sack his cousin, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, a former Minister of Finance. The group call was necessitated by an alleged mismanagement of the economy into a financial mess.
E-levy, Budget Approval Walkouts and Boycotts
The Minority staged several walkouts, including the passage of the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy), during the approval of ministerial nominees, citing dissatisfaction with government policies.
In a related development, on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, the NPP Majority Caucus walked out on the approval of the government’s budget.
Change In Leadership of both Caucuses
During the Eighth Parliament, both the Majority and Minority Causes made changes to the front bench of their leaderships to steer affairs in the House.
Tribute to Jerry John Rawlings
Parliament paid a heartfelt tribute to Ghana’s late former President, showcasing a rare moment of unity.
Legislative Achievements
Some notable achievements of the Eighth Parliament included the passage of key bills, such as the Ghana Accreditation Service Bill, 2023, aimed at promoting economic growth and development. Parliament also approved several international agreements and loans, including the Term Loan Facility Agreement for the construction and equipping of district hospitals.
Also, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Bagbin, delivering his dissolution address ahead of the Ninth Parliament said despite the challenges faced by the Eighth Parliament over the past four years, the House, under his leadership, endeavoured to deliver on its mandate.
He revealed that the House held a total of 399 sittings during the four years.
He noted that 100 Bills were presented to the House, and out of them 60 were passed into law, while the remaining 40 were at various stages of progress.
“We were able to pass 60 bills out of 100 that were presented to the House,” he said.
The Speaker further clarified that “22 bills are still before committees, six are at the second reading stage, and four are at the consideration stage,” he said.
Mr Bagbin also mentioned that eight Bills were withdrawn by their sponsors.
Of the 60 bills passed into law, the Speaker highlighted that some were Private Members’ Bills, noting that “five of these bills were private members’ bills, setting a record for private bills in Ghana,” he said on the Floor of Parliament.
He pointed to key legislation passed during the term, including the Affirmative Action and Gender Equity Act, and the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, “which did not receive the President’s assent,” Mr Bagbin said.
Other significant laws included the Public Financial Management and Criminal Offences Amendment Bills, a Bill against witchcraft, the abolition of the death penalty, and the decriminalisation of attempted suicide.
Controversies and Debates
The Eighth Parliament was not without its controversies. Several private members’ motions were tabled, including investigations into the recruitment practices of state security agencies, allegations of electoral violence, and the expenditures made by the previous government about COVID-19. These motions sparked heated debates and highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in governance.
Minority Became Majority 50 Days to Election 2024
In an unassuming sequence of events, the NDC was named the Majority in Parliament after the Speaker declared four seats vacant.
While three of the seats belonged to the NPP, one was for the NDC.
These seats were the Agona West, represented by Madam Cynthia Morrison of the NPP; Suhum, represented by Mr Kwadwo Asante of the NPP and Fomena by a then Independent MP, Mr Andrew Assiamah Amoako.
With Amenfi Central is a former NDC MP Mr Peter Kwakye Ackah respectively.
However, a Supreme Court ruling overturned the Speaker’s decision on Friday, October 18 2024 barely 24 hours after the Speaker’s verdict.
As Ghana’s Ninth Parliament begins its tenure, it is essential to reflect on the accomplishments and challenges of its predecessor.
The Eighth Parliament’s legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of effective governance, transparency, and accountability in shaping the country’s future.
Further, the Eighth Parliament’s legacy was complex and multifaceted, reflecting both the challenges and opportunities of Ghana’s democratic journey. As the country looks to the future, the lessons learned from this Parliament will undoubtedly shape the course of Ghana’s governance and politics.
GNA
Mustapha Ussif and Okudzeto Ablakwa
