Joe Osei-Owusu, the Bekwai member of parliament, believes that John Dramani Mahama’s declaration endorsing Alban Bagbin implies that Parliament is an extension of the executive branch.
On January 5, 2025, President-elect John Dramani Mahama issued a statement signed by Felix Ofosu Kwakye, the spokesperson for his transition team, stating that the president had instructed his MPs to propose Alban Bagbin for speakership.
According to the statement, the president-elect believes that Bagbin’s extensive background will improve parliament.
However, Joe Osei-Owusu stated in an interview with Emefa Apewu on Joy News’ The Probe that the letter implies Parliament is an executive appendage.
It creates the false impression that Parliament is not a separate branch of government, he clarified.
“If you read the statement put out by Felix Ofosu Kwakye it suggests that Parliament is an appendix of the executive. The President in consultation with suggest that it is the president who is taking the decision.
Parliament is an arm of government, the president may influence who leads parliament but you should not make it appear as if it is the president who is deciding and he is consulting with others. I think that communication was inappropriate.
It shouldn’t be presented as if it is the president who is choosing the speaker and he is consulting other people, no. Eventually, it is parliament that will endorse whoever is nominated but we should leave the president out of the nomination because it gives the wrong impression about parliament as an independent arm of government,” he explained.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Joseph Asare
