The People’s National Convention (PNC) has criticized Parliament for what he called its failure to recognize that the country is practicing a multi-party democracy and not a bi-party democracy.
It says present arrangements of the House give the impression that Ghana is a bi-party democracy.
The party has rejected the present sitting arrangements of the House which categorises members into two groups – Majority and Minority, without due recognition of individual minority parties.
The National Executive Committee of the party has therefore resolved to “explore all avenues available to it to have the standing orders of Parliament amended to make provision for the present Members of Parliament of the PNC unit in Parliament and have a direct representation in the leadership of the House.”
The Executive say its resolution is due to the fact that the party stands by a set of principles, which are not the same as those of the other parties in Parliament.
According to the resolution signed by the leader and general secretary of the party, PNC MPs in the course of their duties in Parliament will take positions on issues based on the principles of the party and that the standing orders of the House provide for a two-way division of the Chamber of Parliament under the control of only the two largest parties.
The party says it passed the resolution because it wants its MPs to be distinct and have a direct representation in the leadership of the House and access and communication with the Speaker.
The Leader of the party, Dr. Edward Mahama criticized the present practice saying it does not represent the country’s status as a multi-party democracy and called on Parliament to act swiftly to amend its standing orders to reflect a multi-party democracy.
“Parliament must recognize that we are practicing a multi-party democracy and not a bi-party democracy.”
Dr. Mahama told the Network Herald in an interview that the PNC Members would want to maintain their independent identity. According to Mahama, “PNC MPs were forced to identify where they will be in the House.” He therefore called on Parliament to “rewrite the Standing orders to recognize that Ghana has a multi-party democracy and not a bi-party.”
