This week saw a variety of happenings on the political landscape but one which caught the attention of most observers was the impact, interpretation and seeming precedent of the cabinet reshuffle. Though its not the first time there has been a cabinet reshuffle, the characters that seem to have been caught in this particular web was most astonishing. Of course the talk of a reshuffle has been peddled in the media for a couple of months now such that a fortnight ago, the President was asked during a media interaction if there was an impending reshuffle. He unequivocally answered NO only to have returned from his party's congress for this reshuffle. After a year and nineteen days in office, H.E. chose to offer what had been requested by the public six months ago but with a twist the public cannot fathom. Dear reader, it is not my wish to bore you with long talk but rather I crave for your indulgence in considering the impact of the Proffessor's first cabinet reshuffle. It is a fact that in sub-saharan Africa, there is a positive correlation between political office and economic/wealth empowerment and acquisition unless you know of a political offfice holder who is still "poor". In Ghana, political appointees in the Executive seem to confirm this assertion much better than their Legislative and Judicial counterparts.
Well, the reshuffle did not only affect members of the Executive but significantly altered the leadership of parliament. Do not ask how because in my country, the phrase 'separation of powers' in political discourse is seemingly meaningless to our democratic practice. We seem to practice the Hybrid type of democracy which calls not for a 'separation but a combination of powers'. Hence, the three arms of government enjoy a relationship which makes the President and his Executive a father-figure in this three tier relation if He's able to secure a majority in Parliament. Then there is the more economically lucrative appointments of Ministers of State which sees H.E. choosing majority of this group from amongst the M.P.s. So to qualify for this money making office, you must catch the attention of the President. Whereas some choose the sychophantic tune - Atta ooohhh Atta, others like Agbo, Bagbin play the Hardcore label. Both tunes seem to be yielding some results as this reshuffle may suggest.
Hon. Alban Sumana K. Bagbin has been in parliament since 1993 and led the NDC in parliament for 8 years during Kufuors reign. Hon. Enoch Teye Mensah has equally been in parliament for that long. The same can be said of Hon. Akologu, John Tia, the experienced journalist who represents the people of Tallensi in parliament. You must recollect how as Minority leader, Bagbin consistenly called for a clear separation of powers between the executive and legislature. Also the law professor is no stranger to principles of good governance and the need for the strengthening of our democracy by actions which do not undermine our state institutions. I recollect how the NDC greatly interpreted the promotion of some Judges to the Supreme court during the Tsatsu trial as an abuse of authority by then President Kufour. So why would Prez. Mills with all the knowledge available to him and his NDC plot this coup against three ranking members of the leadership of parliament. For some NDC MPs, it is not the removal of their leadership but the absence of consultation in taking such a decision. I am of the opinion that if the President wants to bequeath a better legacy to Mother Ghana, it is not the number of corrupt officials he can jail but rather leaving our democratic institutions like parliament much stronger than he met them.
Good governance calls for the internalisation of time tested democratic principles like the independece and separation of powers. I would rather expect that since H.E. has expressed his desire for the review of the constitution to make it possible for some of these principles to bring meaning to our democracy, he would show the goodwill towards this openly expressed intention by not engaging in this parliamentary coup d'etat. But why would these three fine gentlemen also prefer the executive job to parliamentary work? Hon.s, is it the case that you genuinely want to make way for a new crop of the NDC leadership in parliament? Why was there a failure to consult with your parliamentary caucus? Have you been desirous of an executive office due to its economic benefits? Now, you would not take a car loan but rather be chauffer driven in a new 4W car bought by the state. Hon.s, you should have continued with your fight for Ghana's parliament. Now, I don't know if your fights during the last eight years under Prez. Kufour was genuine. Maybe, either we need to make ministerial offices less economically lucrative or treat office holders in parliament in a like manner as their counterparts in the Executive. Then those genuinely desirous of improving the institution of parliament would be insulated in a way from government political machinations as these demotions. Now even our NDC MPs would be watching their backs just to avoid stepping on the wrong toes of Big Daddy. If Bagbin was demoted, then you better watch your back.
The cry by a vice chair of your party and some voiceferous MPs on these new appointments points to nothing but a coup d'etat by the executive on the parliamentary caucus of the NDC, probably an after effect of the MORTAURY MAN label. Uncle Atta, would you please bring your knowledge and experience on governance to bear on our teenage democracy. If Mother Ghana would take the lead in good governance in sub-saharan Africa as we fervently desire, we need the few academics who get the opportunity for political office not to betray their books, degrees, titles, and country. We may shut our voices if such acts if come from college students who get into such offices through the AK 47s and so cannot understand why for instance judges would rule in a way they do not understand. But for real patriots, we find no apology for such onslaught on our parliament.
Consultation is an intergral part of democracy. No public office holder is indispensable but when it affects the very core of our democracy, broad consultation must be held across the political front. Our politicians must learn this in governing us and Ghana would win.
No comments:
Post a Comment