Audio By Carbonatix
The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, has expressed concern about the effectiveness of the country's legislature.
Speaking on the AM Show on Tuesday, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmaker said even though Parliament is supposed to be a distinct organ that holds the executive accountable, it is unable to fully do so.
According to him, the inability of Parliament to effectively discharge its duties is due to the situation where some members of the executive arm also happen to be Members of Parliament.
Bemoaning the situation, the MP said the current structure affects parliamentary oversight, making Parliament look like an extension of the executive.
"We don't have separation of powers in Ghana. We assume that we have separation of powers in Ghana but we don't.
"Parliament is an extension; and forgive me, but with the greatest of respect to Parliament. Parliament is simply an appendage of the executive", Sam George said.
The MP made these remarks while commenting on the ongoing vetting of ministers by Parliament.
The exercise, which began on Monday has so far witnessed the scrutiny of president Akufo-Addo's recent nominees to fill certain vacant ministerial portfolios.
Touching on the ongoing process, Sam George said there is the need for more time to be allocated to such vetting processes in order to get the best of results.
In his view, since time immemorial, parliamentary vetting have not been exhaustive due to the limited duration to complete the process.
He said this needs to be reviewed in order to ensure that nominated appointees are properly examined to ascertain their suitability for the offices they have been appointed to occupy.
The process will however, continue today in Parliament.
At the moment, Minister for Trade and Industry-designate, Kobina Tahir Hammond and his deputy, Dr Stephen Amoah are amongst those who have faced the Vetting Committee.
The process has so far seen some interesting exchanges between some nominees and the panel.
Meanwhile, members of the Minority in Parliament say in line with their calls for the size of government to be reduced, they will not accept Akufo-Addo's recent appointments.
This position was further stressed by Sam George in his interview with Benjamin Akakpo on the AM Show, Wednesday morning.
Latest Stories
-
Adrobaa crowned winners as Milo U13 Championship makes grand return
55 minutes -
NAIMOS seizes excavators and shuts down illegal Riverbank mining in Eastern Region
2 hours -
NAIMOS dismantles illegal foreign mining network along the Bia River
3 hours -
Zelensky signals progress in talks with US on peace plan
4 hours -
Policemen assaulted in Jirapa; AK-47 rifles stolen
5 hours -
Bibiani tragedy: Toddler killed by moving Toyota Pickup
6 hours -
Don’t scrap OSP – Anti-corruption CSO demands review
7 hours -
GIS, EU vow closer security cooperation to boost northern border control
8 hours -
IGP leads major show of force with new armoured fleet
9 hours -
Two female prison officers killed in ghastly crash
9 hours -
Abolish or Reform? Abu Jinapor counsels sober reflection on debate over future of Special Prosecutor’s Office
11 hours -
2026 World Cup: Can Ghana navigate England, Croatia, and Panama in Group L?
11 hours -
NAIMOS task force arrests 9 Chinese illegal miners, destroys equipment at Dadieso
12 hours -
NAIMOS advances into Atiwa Forest, uncovers child labour, river diversion and heavy machinery
12 hours -
NAIMOS Task Force storms Fanteakwa South, dismantles galamsey operations
12 hours
