Dr. Rasheed Draman, the Executive Director of the African Center for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), is expressing hope that the incoming majority in Parliament will use its numbers to benefit Ghanaians.
He expects members of the caucus themselves to criticise the government rather than following every proposal even at the detriment of the citizenry.
Speaking on News Central on TV3 Monday, December 16, 2024, he said the composition of the incoming majority “is a sword with two sides”, expressing hope that it would be used in the interest of the nation.
Dr. Draman particularly mentioned the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to put the deeds of the incoming government to scrutiny just as it did to the current administration.
He also expressed hope that Mahama’s assurance of not abusing the party’s super majority in Parliament would be adhered to.
“I seriously share those fears even though those fears have been assuaged by comments by the President-elect that they are not going to abuse the super majority that they have and I hope we can take his word for it otherwise this majority that they have is a sword with two sides and I hope that they can ensure that the side that will inure to the benefit of Ghanaians is the side that will be blunt so that we are not excessively partisan when it comes to the issues.
“And I’ll like to see the likes of Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa holding government accountable just like how he held the Akufo-Addo government accountable. When we see that, that is when we can say this majority is not being abused,” he urged.
He acknowledged the political enlightenment of the citizenry which is on the rise, adding that any attempt to take the overwhelming majority for granted will be punished by the populace.
“If they use it for partisan purposes, Ghanaians are now really discerning and we want to make sure that the trust that has been given to them is never abused. If they do anything otherwise and they become partisan, sing the praise of their own government even when things are going wrong, then it will not be too long when that trust is lost,” he cautioned.
We’ll use our majority in Parliament responsibly – Fifi Kwetey
