We’ll make MP more attractive than minister of state - Speaker assures legislators

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin, has affirmed the commitment of the Parliamentary Service Board to use the next four years to make being a Member of Parliament (MP) more attractive than being a minister of state.

He said Ghanaians had elected legislators, together with the President, and, therefore, looked up to them to make a difference in their lives not ministers of state.

He explained that making the status of an MP more attractive would stop MPs from using Parliament as a stepping stone to become ministers of state, thus weakening the Legislature.

“So when you are chosen, it is not only in constitutional reforms but it should also be felt by the members. You choose to be a career MP and not to use Parliament as a stepping stone to be a minister of state,” he said.

Addressing a three-day orientation workshop for members of the Ninth Parliament in Ho, Mr Bagbin asked, “Why should the appointees rather have more or better facilities than the elected?

“We will change that narrative and I count on your leaders to support me in this,” he said.

The event brought together several experts and senior legislators with hands-on experience to take legislators and staff of the Parliament Service Board through various topics to build their capacity in parliamentary procedures.

Some of the topics were the rights of the Majority and Minority, conflict management and consensus building, responsibilities of members of Parliament, how to be an effective legislature: mastering the rules of procedure, skills in advocacy, lobbying and negotiation for a legislator, as well as monitoring and evaluation of public services and capital.

Onerous responsibility

The Speaker said worldwide new constitutions now started with the Legislature and not with the usual hierarchy from the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary.

He said it was because it was the Legislature which was the backbone of democracy, approved policies and passed the laws for the Executive to implement or execute.

“And when there are disputes, then the Judiciary comes in to try to settle the disputes and that is what the new constitutions are now starting with, and that is what I will capture,” he said.

In the view of the Speaker, election as legislators presented MPs with the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the quality of lives of Ghanaians and the development of Ghana as a country.

That, he said, was an onerous responsibility very difficult to fulfil as it demanded a lot of attention, focus, service and sacrifice.

“Sacrifice of oneself and family. But it is also rewarding not necessarily materially, but in reputation, self-actualisation and dignity,” he said.

Guide against bad influence

Mr Bagbin urged first-time MPs to read Parliament’s Acts, Parliamentary Service Act, both the new and old Standing Orders, instruments passed and the code of conduct for MPs to become conversant with parliamentary procedures.

Doing so, he said, would equip them with the norms, rules, laws, culture and etiquette for engagement.

He further urged them to use the opportunity to break the ice, make new friends and build a parliamentary family with their senior and more experienced career MPs. 

Hold Executive accountable

The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, said it was important for MPs to appreciate that Ghana had become the envy of many African countries and respected in the world largely because of its democracy.

“And when we are done with elections, we have developed the capacity to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

“We must learn how to hold the Executive accountable and ensure that in our practices as parliamentarians, we represent our constituents and have our country run by various institutions efficiently and effectively and that the democracy we have is delivering social and economic benefits to our people because that is what they expect,” he said.

Acquire knowledge

Earlier, the Clerk-to-Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, said the critical responsibility of law-making and conflict resolution required great competence in those fields, adding that the training was appropriate in its timing to equip the participants with those skills for their dynamic role as lawmakers.