First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu has voiced his disappointment regarding the conduct of Members of the Eighth Parliament, stating that the House has been bogged down by controversies instead of focusing on its primary role of lawmaking.
In an exclusive interview with Citi News, Osei-Owusu noted that the current Parliament has struggled to pass several crucial pieces of legislation vital for national development.
He highlighted a significant decline in legislative productivity compared to previous sessions, attributing this downturn to ongoing political infighting and disputes among members.
He called for a renewed commitment from all Members of Parliament (MPs) to prioritize legislative work and collaborate to address the challenges facing the House.
Emphasizing the need for unity and constructive dialogue, he stressed that restoring the integrity and effectiveness of Parliament is essential.
Osei-Owusu expressed concern that the current disputes could erode public trust in the legislative process, a cornerstone of a functioning democracy.
“I’m disappointed in the Eighth Parliament as a whole. As I mentioned previously, we have done very little in terms of legislation. If you look at the number of laws and smaller legislations we’ve passed, it’s clear we’ve squandered too much time on inconsequential issues.
“Our primary responsibility is to make laws, but if you compare the number of laws we’ve enacted over the past four years to those from previous parliaments, the Eighth Parliament has been the least productive.
“It’s been filled with controversy. Issues that we could have discussed and resolved amicably have turned into fights. This is particularly disappointing.
The essence of democracy is to foster idea exchange, so if Parliament, which reflects the entire nation, cannot engage in meaningful discussions, where does that leave our democracy? I find our parliamentary conduct very disappointing.”
He urged MPs to reflect on their roles and responsibilities, recommitting themselves to serve the interests of the Ghanaian people.
