‘Don’t Disappoint Us’ – Dr. Otchere-Ankrah Cautions 9th Parliament

Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, a governance analyst and lecturer at the University of Ghana, has slammed the parliamentarians over their recent conduct that resulted in chaos.

The Appointments Committee vetting of ministerial appointees turned violent on Thursday, January 30 as the minority and majority caucuses clashed.

The violent clash that nearly led to a fistfight was as a result of a misunderstanding over vetting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Health, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Kwabena Mintah Akandoh resepectively.

The minority insisted the vetting should be postponed which went contrary to the majority’s stance to vet the two appointees on the day.

The members of the Committee destroyed their tables and microphones in protest.

Dr. Otchere-Ankrah, in reaction to this incident, condemned how the 9th Parliament has begun as there was hope for them not to repeat the misbehavior of the 8th Parliament.

Expressing his dissent to unfortunate things that have characterized the 9th Parliament, particularly the Appointments Committee which includes they letting loose some appointees that appeared before the Committee, Dr. Otchere-Ankrah admonished the legislators to act in accordance with their standing orders.

He also lambasted the Speaker, Alban Sumana Bagbin, over how he is handling the house, stressing he should equally take actions that suit the parliamentary standing orders.

This, he said, regarding his (Speaker) suspension of 4 MPs who have been reinstated after their leaders pleaded on their behalf.

The Speaker’s sanction was said to be in breach of the standing orders of the House.

“…Parliament, they should not disappoint us. We have a lot of expectations of them to work effectively. It’s too early for these things to be happening”, he charged the MPs.

Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah made these submissions on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show.

Source: Ghmessenger.com