By William Botchway
PREAMBLE
Limping is a sign of discomfort or some abnormally as resulting from a damaged or stiff foot or leg which can be clearly observed in one?s way of walking. This is the state of the NPP as a party in general and particularly evidenced by the conduct of their Members of Parliament (MPs).
BODY
On the Ground
The supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after their unanticipated ?One Touch? defeat in the December election resorted to chaos. It took a stiff and determined security intervention to avert a possible escalation in loss of lives and damage to property. The NPP in the aftermath of the commotion went to court to seek redress at the Supreme Court.
The redress bothers on ?perceived? irregularities in the tallying of the election results. We shall not go into the substance of the case in question since it is still at the Court of Law. However, the decisions and stance adopted by the NPP MPs leaves much to be desired.
Prior to going to court, the party had stated variously that they will abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court on the matter. They have however charged their Parliamentarians not to participate in any activity in the House which seeks to recognize and or endorse the office of His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama. The interesting fact however is that the Electoral Commission is the body constitutionally mandated to declare election results, a party?s action or inaction does not and cannot take away this simple fact. A constitutional approach to challenging this declaration does not take anything away from the Presidency until the Supreme Court declares otherwise. The NPP has made this very simple fact and process very cumbersome, confusing, demeaning and derogatory.
Political stalwarts from their own party in the persons of Dr Wereko-Brobbey (Tarzan) and Mr. Kwame Pianim among others have been loud and clear on the matter, stating the apparent double-standard and seeming confusion of the Party and particularly their MPs. Their assertions have been met with accusations of them being ingrates, cash trapped and regrettably other unprintable words.
The Direction in which they are headed
The action of the NPP to challenge the electoral Commissions declaration of Presidential results is constitutional and in a better direction than the earlier commotion their supporters resorted to. However, having accepted the Parliamentary results and having been sworn into office, their subsequent boycott of by-elections at Akatsi and Buem on the grounds of perceived unfairness seeks to undermine the integrity of the electoral commission. Suffice to say that that same Commission under the same head had declared two elections in their favour. This approach will make any future declaration of election results subject to doubts and thereby undermining our democracy.
The blatant disregard for the Presidency sets a bad precedence for generations to come. That the minority would walk out on the president during the very first State of the Nation address which action was not bothered on or premised on any disagreement on policy or stance as is the tradition all over the world but in their wanton disregard for the declaration by the EC (which is being challenged though and the outcome of which action they have pledged to accept) is most unfortunate. The decision to be absent at the vetting of Ministers of state since they are appointees of the President is petty and laughable. Until the court?s ruling, demanding accountability from these Ministers by the Minority would be anyone?s guess.
There is currently, a flaw in our governance. Our system of Government is largely premised on the system of ?Separation of Powers? and hinged on checks and balances by the arms of government. The attitude and approach adopted by the main opposition which almost entirely constitutes the minority without doubt fails to make complete our government.
There is an apparent confusion by the Minority MPs, they appear to be at the mercy of Party Executives who have the finale mandate on their every move. A classic example was Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu?s statement indicating that the Minority would attend the President?s State of the Nation address, only to rescind that decision in the very last minute. This ?puppet? situation is far below our Honorable Minority MPs, with all apologies, they are not ?Zombies?.
CONCLUSION???????
The people of this country must demand accountability from their representatives i.e. MPs by requiring them to participate fully in all matters of the House. As they were quick to accept their accommodation packages and salaries, they should do the work for which they have received such remuneration. All actions taken now cannot be later ratified and there is therefore the need to ensure that the Minority contribute their quota in improving the lives of the citizenry. As the Ex-President put Ghana first before his party in attending the President?s inauguration, so should the Minority MPs emulate.
