Audio By Carbonatix
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu says Ghana’s eighth parliament has become the worst in the country's history with the recent actions of the minority caucus.
The Minority declared early this week that they are escalating their protest against the prosecution of Gyakye Quayson.
The new strategy is to continuously raise matters of quorum, literally shutting the House down every time.
According to the First Deputy Speaker, he thought a Parliament with equal numbers will be better but it turned out to be the worst than the other parliaments.
Speaking to JoyNews on July 20, he said, “We have decided to do politics instead of business. This equal number in parliament has brought the worst in MPs, I have repeated it, I will repeat it again - this parliament, the eighth parliament has made the least number of laws.”
On Thursday, whilst the House considered bills including the Ghana UNESCO bill, it was evident that the House lacked a quorum to continue. This forced an early adjournment.
On the back of this, Mr Osei-Wusu said this parliament has not been effective as was the case in previous parliaments.
According to him, with more than a decade in parliament, there has never been a time where the absence of other colleagues in the house hindered the business of the day.
He stressed that the current parliament made it difficult for the leadership to control affairs in the house.
“Young people are in control; they look at things differently from the rest of us, so it is even good for them when their leaders agree to do it.
“Check the current parliament, it is always people from the back bench who come to raise this thing and not the leaders. What it means is that at this time in the parliament of Ghana, leaders don’t have control, the back bench has control,” he said.
Also, Trades and Industry Minister, KT Hammond expressed concern about the current trend adding that if this continues, parliament will be unable to get business done.
He described the action of the minority as mischievous and a clear sabotage of government business.
Mr Hammond stressed that the move by the minority has made it difficult for committee meetings to take place which has greatly affected the business of parliament.
However, the Chief Whip of the minority, Kwame Governs Agbodza says the minority caucus was doing the best it can to let the business of the house go on.
He added that his side of the house was not to be blamed for the delay in parliamentary business. He stressed that if all members of the minority were present, the agenda of the house would have continued.
Also, Tamale Central MP, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed said it is unfair for the majority to describe the actions of the minority as a frustration to the business of the house.
According to him, the business of the house is guided by the constitution and the standing orders, therefore, describing them as a hindrance to parliamentary business is wrong.
He added that on the contrary, the Majority Chief Whip has failed to get all members of the majority into the house for the business of the day to proceed.
Latest Stories
-
Gov’t confirms Black Queens are safe in UAE
8 minutes -
Ghana’s Emmanuel Dogbevi elected Vice President of Africa Editors Forum
15 minutes -
Three arrested over alleged mob killing of 26-year-old Liberian at Lashibi
21 minutes -
Africa editors chart reform agenda and elect new executive council
24 minutes -
At least 153 dead after reported strike on school, Iran says
39 minutes -
President Mahama arrives in Tanzania to address African Court on human and peoples’ rights
50 minutes -
Ghana’s current surplus to average 3% of GDP in 2026 – Databank Research
1 hour -
Cedi to depreciate by 7.20% in 2026
1 hour -
Banks record GH¢15.0bn profit in 2025, a 43.5% growth
1 hour -
The Africa Editors Forum honours Ghana’s Kwame Karikari with Lifetime Service to Journalism Award
1 hour -
Weak revenue performance, pressures from compensation pose fiscal risks to economic outlook – BoG
1 hour -
2025/26 GPL: Bechem United held to goalless draw by Karela United
1 hour -
Specialised courts to fast-track justice on galamsey, corruption and financial crimes – Judicial Secretary
1 hour -
Ghanaians urged to embrace specialised courts for effective justice delivery
2 hours -
Sextortion offenders face up to 25 years in jail – Judicial Secretary warns
2 hours
