National Interest is Supreme- Speaker Tells MPs

Speaker of Parliament Edward Doe-Adjaho has called on the country’s lawmakers to build consensus at all times and let national interest override parochial, political and individual interests in the legislature.

Opening a week’s induction seminar for Members of Parliament for the Sixth Parliament of the Fourth Republic at the Ghana Institute for Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in Accra, Mr. Adjaho reminded the lawmakers to try as much as possible to build consensus on bills and other businesses that were brought before the House.

“Let us always remember that we have important responsibilities to discharge and our nation expects us to act with commitment and integrity in fulfilling these responsibilities,” Speaker Adjaho admonished.

The one week induction seminar which is organized for members of every new Parliament is to afford the old experienced MPs the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the legislative theatre, do proper introspection and more importantly, share their rich experiences with new entrants on parliamentary procedures.

It was on the theme: ‘Harmony In Diversity And Partnership In Parliament After Elections’, and chaired by President of National House of Chiefs Naa Prof. J. S. Nabila.

Mr. Adjaho reminded the MPs that the success or otherwise of the current parliament largely depended on the effectiveness of assimilating the rules of procedures of the House, and the efficiency of delivering their legislative mandate.

He entreated the lawmakers to roll up their sleeves and help address consequences of political intolerance and intense acrimony in the country.

Consequences of political intolerance, Mr. Adjaho pointed out, had the potential to undermine the capacity of government to govern, parliament to legislate and the judiciary to adjudicate.

“Indeed, an environment of political intolerance does not create the enabling atmosphere for civil society, and indeed the citizenry to free express their views and opinions which are important features in any democratic state.

“I therefore wish to urge that we must continue to dialogue on issues of peace, partnership and harmony in order to reduce, if not stop ill-feelings of the disadvantaged; grievances, fear and despair, which may lead to division, violence and instability,” Mr. Adjaho urged the MPs.

Chairman of National Peace Council and Presiding Bishop of Methodist Church, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, who delivered the keynote address, also reminded the lawmakers that they had been elected on party tickets to serve a multi-party state.

“Be the party-neutral Ghana in Parliament and work in harmony and in partnership for the good of Ghana,” he told the MPs.

Prof. Asante said for the nation to move forward in its holistic development, there was the need for a shared agenda and Parliament, the legislative assembly, provided a national, not partisan platform, which could best facilitate the pursuit of the shared national agenda and vision.

“Parliament should provide a national platform of peaceful and mutual conditions for the nation’s elected representatives to engage in open and frank debates and discussions on diverse ideas, which are inherent to multi-party democracy in an environment of trust, confidence and mutual respect of differing political positions or stance.

“Parliamentarians must represent the collective interest of the nation and Parliament must serve as a national institution that generates ideas and policies that go to enhance the holistic development of the nation as a whole,” Prof. Asante urged.