The Dean of the Law School at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Professor Kofi Abotsi, has cautioned against the notion that institutional conflict, particularly within Parliament, can be resolved through simple pronouncements or declarations.

He contends that genuine resolution demands a deeper understanding of the internal workings, culture, and interpersonal dynamics of the legislative body.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show (SMS) on Wednesday, June 18, Prof Abotsi described the Ghanaian Parliament as a “collegial institution” where decision-making and conflict resolution are often shaped by the strong sense of camaraderie that binds its members.

According to him, this fraternal atmosphere — while critical for cohesion — often complicates efforts at accountability and transparent scrutiny, especially when Members of Parliament (MPs) find themselves entangled in matters of oversight.

“The difficulty of conflict cannot be cured by declaration, because one can only understand this if you understand the nuances of how things work,” Professor Abotsi said. “It’s imperative for us to appreciate the fact that the difficulty is the collegiality — the way Parliament operates as a collegial institution.”

Drawing attention to the challenges that arise when MPs are tasked with scrutinising the activities of boards on which some of their own colleagues serve, Professor Abotsi explained that this structural overlap creates an inherent conflict of interest.

In such situations, he observed, MPs are often burdened with the moral and political dilemma of holding a fellow MP accountable — an act that may feel like betraying one of their own.

“If my colleagues understand that I am a member of a board, and the board has deliberated on things and the outcome has become the subject of parliamentary oversight, and Parliament is intent on scrutinising it… my colleagues will appreciate the fact that I’m a member of that board,” he noted.

“Any directive intended to collectively punish the members of the board is going to affect me.”

Prof Abotsi highlighted the emotional and ethical complexities that arise when Members of Parliament (MPs) are required to scrutinise matters involving their colleagues.

“The Members of Parliament will necessarily have the burden weighing on their minds — the fact that they are going to penalise one of their own,” he added.