The African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) has revealed that both New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmakers are struggling to accept the reality of a hung Parliament.
That, it explained, was because both parties in the past enjoyed overwhelming majority in Parliament and always had their way in the House but Parliament in the year 2021 witnessed chaotic scenes over the introduction of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) Bill due to the nature of the House.
The centre bemoaned that Parliament set a bad example with the scuffles and implored leadership to resolve disagreements during their meetings before they appeared on the floor of the House so as to protect the image of Parliament.
Dr Rasheed Draman, the Executive Director of ACEPA, entreated that “over the years, both parties have been used to Majority having their way all the time, NDC has had it, NPP has had it, many times but now there is a new reality and each caucus is having a lot of difficulties and challenges in terms of trying to reset their mindset to the new reality which has been creating all the challenges.
On Monday December 20, 2021, the Members of Parliament (MPs) could not hold their emotions as some exchanged brawls in the House to the dismay and disgust of their constituents.
The sit-in Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu, had announced division will be followed to approve the bill (now approved), presented under a certificate of urgency, and he was going to vote as well in his capacity as MP for Bekwai Constituency in the Ashanti Region.
That appeared to have provoked the NDC Caucus, who questioned his decision to vote after presiding over the night’s proceedings and they moved to the front of the dais, threatening Mr Osei-Owusu, who is also the First Deputy Speaker.
That got the Majority MPs to also start agitations and immediately Mr Osei-Owusu handed the presiding role to the Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Amoako Asiamah the melee ensued.
According to Dr. Draman, Parliament was setting a bad precedent which should not be repeated, particularly by the leadership of Parliament, because most of the issues were resolved before they got on the floor of the House.