The speaker of parliament, has demonstrated commitment to seeing a functioning democracy under his watch. He has given the true meaning to the essence of parliamentary oversight role on the executive in Ghana’s democracy since 1992.
There hasn’t been any time in my growing up, where I experience such a tough skinned speaker of parliament, who regardless of the attacks within and outside of his party, has remained steadfast and focus on his job.
He’s so composed to duty, to ignore the name calling, accusations and insults, some of which comes from leading members of the governing NPP, where in particularly the general secretary of the party has in recent times call the bluff of the speaker in very unprincipled language.
But Bagbin is one of the only living longest member of parliament to still be in this current role, he understands the rudiments of this job, far better than many of those who are quick to get emotionally dissatisfied and easily frustrated with parliamentary procedure. I think, last Friday’s show of leadership and understanding is enough to continue supporting him to get to do what is right by the average Ghanaian. He may not always get it right, but this is a good beginning of things in a young democracy like ours.
To the minority leadership and the NDC MP’s, you may not always get it right, but politics is a complex business, let’s remain focused and go for the war while we are willing to lose some battles along the way.
Let me say that, the fixthecountry movement, is becoming one of the most relevant social justice movement that is using peaceful protest as tool in fostering and forcing a working democracy. Your presence at the event on Friday, may not seem enough to many, but that exercise is just a psyche booster on the position of the public in matters as important as taxing.
I said before that, I do not oppose tax in it essence, but the representative of the people said this particular one was not acceptable and I side with them without grudges.
By Benjamin Madugu