Parliament of Ghana is handicapped – James Avedzi

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament James Klutse Avedzi has said that issues brought to the floor of Parliament are politicized.

According to him this occurs because decisions in parliament is taken by the majority votes, which is usually held by the governing party.

Speaking at the 2nd national dialogue on ‘Public Accountability: Abuse of office’,

Mr Avedzi bemoaned the use of party line instead of voting on the issues at hand.

Parliament must have the power to do certain things but the parliament of Ghana we are handicapped because we politicize everything on the floor.

If this is coming from NPP, the NDC oppose it. If it’s coming from the NDC, the NPP will oppose it. Now parliament is dominated or decision in parliament is taken by majority decision and votes.

So if the issue on the floor should be voted for who do you think will win? Because we vote on party line. We don’t vote on issues”

James Avedzi who is also the MP for Ketu North and Deputy Minority Speaker in Parliament revealed that victimization befalls anyone who fails to support or votes for the decisions taken by the majority in parliament.

“If I come from a constituency, I belong to NDC and my party is in power and issue come to the floor and my party position is we have to vote for that issue if I single out myself, because I’m against that decision and I vote against it the next election I will lose that election.”

Professor Stephen Adei therefore hinted that the Members of Parliament (MPs) Common Fund must be given to the constituents and not the legislators.

He maintained that the constituents run to MPs because they believe they have the money and government have given them parts of the Common Funds hence the heckle.

“One of the fundamental mistakes which the parliament of Ghana made under government today is to give an MP part of the Common Fund.”

He also lamented on the lack of discipline being exhibited thereby causing the widespread of corruption.