Parliament hampering democracy - Prof Oquaye

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Ghanaman 10 years ago

They did not see the obvious? And why did Prof. Not say it then?

They did not see the obvious? And why did Prof. Not say it then?
kojo 10 years ago

This is what paa kwesi Nduom was fighting for when he was in parliament and still is fighting but no one is listening.

This is what paa kwesi Nduom was fighting for when he was in parliament and still is fighting but no one is listening.
Pelicles 10 years ago

There should be a provision in the constitution that "No member of parliament should be appointed as a Minister or be part of the cabinet". As we speak, there are several NDC MPs who are members of the cabinet and that does n ...
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There should be a provision in the constitution that "No member of parliament should be appointed as a Minister or be part of the cabinet". As we speak, there are several NDC MPs who are members of the cabinet and that does not bode well for our "shaky democracy".
Close Observer 10 years ago

Until we have changed the way our government operates and the legislative and executive arms earn the income that suits their input, there will be no change in the life of the ordinary Ghanaian; by that I don't mean only poor ...
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Until we have changed the way our government operates and the legislative and executive arms earn the income that suits their input, there will be no change in the life of the ordinary Ghanaian; by that I don't mean only poor people, but anybody outside politics who is also not a celebrity.
What do I mean by that? Until parliamentarians and ministers stop getting wages that they don't deserve, they will never see any reason why Ghanaians are complaining. If they see the need for all the benefits that they have allotted to themselves to make life comfortable because to them that is the reality of today's economic condition, why do they think that comfort should be denied others outside politics? People of Ghana, your legislators and the executive arm will never change anything to their disadvantage. It is you and I who will have to change the status quo. I'm bringing this up today and I believe people will take it up from here and talk about it till the constitution is amended. The amendment must see a change in the situation where legislators pass bills on benefits that goes to them without any trouble, but refuse to do the same for others. They must not decide how much they earn; that must be decided by the people, and it must go up in proportion with that of the rest of us. The free this and free that must cease. That does not make them feel what we feel, and therefore does not lead to taking sensible decisions to solve our problems. It will also be less attractive to nobodies who resign their jobs to seek greener pasture there only to enrich themselves.
The second issue is the situation where a parliamentarian is given a ministerial appointment yet, continue to be a legislator. Yes, the constitution allows that, but common sense must tell us that it is not proper, and they can never perform efficiently in both capacities. I'm therefore not surprise that things are not working for us. Somebody must talk about this, I have started it. Let's talk and call for a change. We have the power to turn things around. The politicians will not do it, left to them alone.
sallie 10 years ago

It's sad very sad that constitution of a country will be written to serve only one person --Jerry John Rawlings.Fortunely now Rawlings gone now. That purpose has been served so Ghanaians should stand up and demand change oth ...
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It's sad very sad that constitution of a country will be written to serve only one person --Jerry John Rawlings.Fortunely now Rawlings gone now. That purpose has been served so Ghanaians should stand up and demand change otherwise , Ghana will always be what it's today. Ghanaians stand up and demand that the constitution should be amended.
GHANA 1st 10 years ago

Blame justice Annan the con speaker All the flaws in the constitution was
deliberately skewed by Annan to help the con artist killer president
JJ

Blame justice Annan the con speaker All the flaws in the constitution was
deliberately skewed by Annan to help the con artist killer president
JJ
Chief amankwa 10 years ago

Simplec

Simplec
VOICE OF REASON 10 years ago

And a selfish one at that.Some of us have known this from day one.How else can one explain Mahama gloating over a few million loan after wasting billions in pre-election giveaway freebie thereby bankrupting the nation

And a selfish one at that.Some of us have known this from day one.How else can one explain Mahama gloating over a few million loan after wasting billions in pre-election giveaway freebie thereby bankrupting the nation
Nana Hebieso 10 years ago

Separation of powers from the executive and the parliament could enhance better checking of corruption and nepotism in the government officials. Its inaccurate for member of parliament to be appointed as Minister to the execu ...
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Separation of powers from the executive and the parliament could enhance better checking of corruption and nepotism in the government officials. Its inaccurate for member of parliament to be appointed as Minister to the executive. That alone breed thousands smd one corruptions in the country. The earlier these thongs are checked the better.
VOICE OF REASON 10 years ago

But we have dumb leaders who don't want to amend it because it serves their bloated selfish interest.Dumb Dramani is number one.Why should MPs be made ministers and why should EC chairman and MMDCs be appointed by the presid ...
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But we have dumb leaders who don't want to amend it because it serves their bloated selfish interest.Dumb Dramani is number one.Why should MPs be made ministers and why should EC chairman and MMDCs be appointed by the president ?

Abeeku Mensah 10 years ago

Prof Oquaye ought to quit this hypocrisy; did he see the second coming of Christ to be enlightened at this time and date? Did he not know what to do as member of Parliament to have either suggested the need for change till no ...
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Prof Oquaye ought to quit this hypocrisy; did he see the second coming of Christ to be enlightened at this time and date? Did he not know what to do as member of Parliament to have either suggested the need for change till now or tabled a constitutional amendment process?
The one credit I'll give Prof. Oquaye is that he has unknowingly shown how delusional people who talk about differences between Nkrumah era one party system and the presumed multi-party system most in the NPP and NDC preach to the unfortunate souls here in Ghana. If I'm not mistaken, Prof. Oquaye's contempt for the current system stems from the fact that the party in the majority do have the president, the majority party leader, to push parliament their agenda while the president counts on members of the executive branch who are also members of Parliament to vote with party members in parliament to rubber stamp every budget request put forward by the president. How is this any different from the Nkrumah era when the CPP members in Parliament helped Nkrumah to get his agenda through the unitary parliament? Calling ourself a democracy does not make it so if structures and institutions of government practice an exaggerated socialism masked as democracy. The voting system and outcomes we have currently is predicated and predictable along tribal lines; the majority party and the rest of Ghana's voters vote their pocket book and would have voted Nkrumah out of office if the economic conditions in Ghana had been any closer to the mess we have seen since the early 70's.
mensah abrampa 10 years ago

What Prof Ocquaye is saying is nothing but the naked truth. The time lapse doesn't make it any less true. It's even more relevant today because of the unbridled partisanship and cronyism that characterize every appointment an ...
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What Prof Ocquaye is saying is nothing but the naked truth. The time lapse doesn't make it any less true. It's even more relevant today because of the unbridled partisanship and cronyism that characterize every appointment and decision made by this Mahama led NDC administration. The 1992 constitution was written for the protection, benefit and empowerment of one person, Jerry John Rawlings. As flawed as this constitution is it's shocking that it has not undergone severe repeated criticisms and amendments since the year 2000 when Rawlings left the presidency. The answers and reasons are not far fetched. Since the constitution strengthens the hand of every new president it's not hard to see why administration after administration have turned the blind eye to its flaws. It's better late than never so I hope and pray what Prof Ocquaye is saying would be taken into consideration and amendments made to parts of the constitution that weaken our democracy.
Adamu Musah 10 years ago

In normal way as far presidential system of government is concerned, if you parliamentarian and you have given executive function, you must first of resign your position for bye election.the constitution of ghana allow this s ...
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In normal way as far presidential system of government is concerned, if you parliamentarian and you have given executive function, you must first of resign your position for bye election.the constitution of ghana allow this so there is fusion of powers here which is not feature of presidential system of government.until amendment is made there will be no separation of powers and check and balance.parliament will be toothless elephant.
Adamu Musah 10 years ago

Until parliament and executive functions are separated check and balance will not work

Until parliament and executive functions are separated check and balance will not work
Son of man 10 years ago

The ineffectiveness of Parliament is far from the point being discussed. I will agree to some extent that it could be a problem but the main issue underlining this cancer is tha luck of RULE OF LAW. It is not the physical hum ...
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The ineffectiveness of Parliament is far from the point being discussed. I will agree to some extent that it could be a problem but the main issue underlining this cancer is tha luck of RULE OF LAW. It is not the physical human beings who control what the executive does or do not do. Regardless of who is in parliament, the law empowers then to exercise their duties. As it stands today there is no rule of law and separation of powers, checks and balances is absent. For example, who is responsible for appropriation funds for national projects. Government runs amok contracting loans from the IMF and the EU. Where is the role of Parliament in this? As it stands, accountability for all thiese loans will not be known at the end of the day. That is how shambolic this democratic arrangement is. The executive has always dominated politics in Ghana and does never want to cede some power to popular control through parliament. These Parliamentarians themselves are as useless as used car sales men. They are engrossed in getting rich and don't care about their duties either. All they know is YEAH YEAH YEAH. Shame!!!!!!
Okponglo Guy 10 years ago

Abolish the presidency. Politics no dorso, aba! Give us 20 senators from regions for the National Assembly and send all the reps to regional assemblies or public administration.
Politics has hijacked our development

Abolish the presidency. Politics no dorso, aba! Give us 20 senators from regions for the National Assembly and send all the reps to regional assemblies or public administration.
Politics has hijacked our development
Okponglo Guy 10 years ago

Abolish the presidency. Politics no dorso, aba! Give us 20 senators from regions for the National Assembly and send all the reps to regional assemblies or public administration.
Politics has hijacked our development

Abolish the presidency. Politics no dorso, aba! Give us 20 senators from regions for the National Assembly and send all the reps to regional assemblies or public administration.
Politics has hijacked our development
Okponglo Guy 10 years ago

Abolish the presidency. Politics no dorso, aba! Give us 20 senators from regions for the National Assembly and send all the reps to regional assemblies or public administration.
Politics has hijacked our development

Abolish the presidency. Politics no dorso, aba! Give us 20 senators from regions for the National Assembly and send all the reps to regional assemblies or public administration.
Politics has hijacked our development
Okponglo Guy 10 years ago

Abolish the presidency. Politics no dorso, aba! Give us 20 senators from regions for the National Assembly and send all the reps to regional assemblies or public administration.
Politics has hijacked our development

Abolish the presidency. Politics no dorso, aba! Give us 20 senators from regions for the National Assembly and send all the reps to regional assemblies or public administration.
Politics has hijacked our development
Okponglo Guy 10 years ago

Abolish the presidency. Politics no dorso, aba! Give us 20 senators from regions for the National Assembly and send all the reps to regional assemblies or public administration.
Politics has hijacked our development

Abolish the presidency. Politics no dorso, aba! Give us 20 senators from regions for the National Assembly and send all the reps to regional assemblies or public administration.
Politics has hijacked our development

truth 10 years ago

iament is the most useless institution in Ghana. Parliamentaries must be only. 20 for the whole country and also a parliamentarian should not exceed two terms. They are waste of tax payers money. Ghanaians lets get real and k ...
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iament is the most useless institution in Ghana. Parliamentaries must be only. 20 for the whole country and also a parliamentarian should not exceed two terms. They are waste of tax payers money. Ghanaians lets get real and kick out these useless people out. Democracy is not good for us but I think communists will do
GBEWAA 10 years ago

NDUOM WAS SACKED BY KUFUOR, WHY?

APART FROM DR. NKRUMAH OF BLESSED MEMORY, NO GHANAIAN IS, OR HAS EVER BEEN, IN POLITICS FOR SERVICES TO HUMANKIND.

NKRUMAH'S GOOD INTENTIONS IN POLITICS CAN BE SEEN EVEN TO THIS DAY AL ...
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NDUOM WAS SACKED BY KUFUOR, WHY?

APART FROM DR. NKRUMAH OF BLESSED MEMORY, NO GHANAIAN IS, OR HAS EVER BEEN, IN POLITICS FOR SERVICES TO HUMANKIND.

NKRUMAH'S GOOD INTENTIONS IN POLITICS CAN BE SEEN EVEN TO THIS DAY ALL ACROSS THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES OF GHANA, AND INDEED AFRICA. THAT EVIDENCE IS THERE FOR ALL TO SEE EVEN TO THIS DAY.
Ghanaba 10 years ago

Opposition parties see clearly all the faults in the constitution but they suddenly go blind to the flaws when they gain power.... Lol
This man didn't see the flaw in addition to not voting for DCEs and mayors until he got i ...
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Opposition parties see clearly all the faults in the constitution but they suddenly go blind to the flaws when they gain power.... Lol
This man didn't see the flaw in addition to not voting for DCEs and mayors until he got into opposition again.... Funny myopic politicians!
Ugly akufo addo 10 years ago

Such an idiot has been our MP before

Such an idiot has been our MP before
PROFESSOR THOMAS KUBI- McA 10 years ago

THE MARKETING COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO
BE ESTABLISHED=
=======================================
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=======================================
PROFESSOER THOMAS KUBI ( FOUNDER )

THE MARKETING COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO
BE ESTABLISHED=
=======================================
WWW.CUSTOMERMETRO.COM
=======================================
PROFESSOER THOMAS KUBI ( FOUNDER )
AMA 10 years ago

GO FOR PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM. PERIOD

GO FOR PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM. PERIOD
penyarku 10 years ago

It's the case of the pot calling the kettle black; MPs themselves don't know their role in the governance system otherwise they wouldn't join their parties to boycott parliament, hold press conferences that should be held by ...
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It's the case of the pot calling the kettle black; MPs themselves don't know their role in the governance system otherwise they wouldn't join their parties to boycott parliament, hold press conferences that should be held by a political party. For example after being appointed a deputy speaker joe ghartey picked up party garment and joined a boycott of the Parliament of which he is a dep. speaker. What else would you expect? Until MPs realize they lose their party colors once they enter parliament nothing is going to change

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Parliament hampering democracy - Prof Oquaye

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