Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has issued a stern warning against any attempts to undermine the independence of Parliament and turn it into a government agency.
He emphasized that the legislative body will not become an extension or agency of the government.
“It will not happen in my life,” The Speaker declared emphatically during his speech at the launch of the ‘Democracy Cup’ in Parliament on Thursday, June 13.
The launch of the ‘Democracy Cup’ marked another significant event in Ghana’s democratic journey, celebrating 30 years of parliamentary democracy.
Reflecting on his long-standing role in the Parliament since its inception in 1993, Mr. Bagbin expressed pride in his contributions to its growth and independence.
“I’m proud to be part of this process of building the Parliament of Ghana from 1993, which has no doubt contributed significantly to enable me to assume the honorable responsibility as the Speaker of the first ever hung Parliament in Ghana,” he stated.
The Speaker stressed that the current hung Parliament where no caucus has a majority cannot be compared to others.
“You can’t compare this parliament to the others. This is a completely new game,” he said.
He acknowledged the unique challenges posed by the current hung Parliament, where no party holds an outright majority, necessitating a shift in how parliamentary rules are applied.
The House, he said, was applying rules that were for a majoritarian system where majority votes carry the day but now the nation.
“So those rules were for that. Now we are running a parliament where there is no majority so you cannot apply those rules again,” he said.
Bagbin stressed the importance of the initiative and indicated that the ‘Democracy Cup’ is further evidence of the nation’s commitment to promoting initiatives aimed at strengthening the foundation of Ghana’s democracy.
The Democracy Cup will feature a football match between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak, symbolizing competitive spirit and unity ahead of the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in December.
The match is expected to re-ignite the competitive rivalry between the two clubs
He reaffirmed Parliament’s dedication to democracy and the well-being of Ghanaians and assured that Parliament is committed to ensuring that the excellence of the past continues.
