Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has stated that he does not want to see any party in Ghana with a large majority in Parliament, as a hung parliament is the best system for the country.
A hung parliament, he said, prevents any elected dictatorship, emphasising that the country has chosen the path of democracy and that it should be protected.
Mr. Bagbin, speaking at a public forum in Ho, the Volta Regional capital, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 4th Republic’s Parliament, noted that while decisions in the House take time, the hung parliament has resulted in consensus building.
“We don’t push it down through the throat of many people. So this hung parliament is unlike the other parliaments. And I will urge all of you to let us continue along this path for some time and you will see the difference,” he entreated.
“I have heard of some other voices saying we should not vote that way again. I don’t want to see any party with a huge majority in Parliament,” the Speaker stressed.
“I am sharing my experiences with you. If you disagree with me, do it and see what will happen. It is very difficult to manage and as the Speaker, I know how I am struggling to manage it.
“But, in the interest of the nation, that is the way to go. We don’t want to have any elected dictatorship; we opted for democracy,” he noted.
Mr. Bagbin added that the hung parliament had also aided the country’s transition from representation to inclusivity.
“We are now talking about leaving nobody behind. All of us are moving together. Go back to the old order and see how long we will go or how far you will go,” he asserted.
He intimated that Ghanaians are very tolerant people, but they are also very volcanic.
“Take this as a serious statement. We take so many things for granted in this country. Ghanaians are very tolerant, but please, they are also volcanic. When they erupt, the consequences are disastrous,” he said.
He added, “But we all know evolution is better than revolution. So please, we should not take what is happening for granted.”
According to him, Ghana has moved away from a majoritarian system in which the government has a huge clout in Parliament and “even when the President coughs, it is said to be for the good of the people. And they follow [after] that.”
“To a parliament now that is a hung parliament – equal numbers. I hear people say near or almost hung; no, it’s hung. It is 137-137. Our ladies, 20 right and 20 left.
“One person who was rejected by his party and he contested as an independent won and came to parliament, now became the deciding factor,” the Speaker stated.
“And he is the one who officially wrote to me that he wants to do business with the NPP members, and he made them the majority. I think now they treasure him. That is why he was made Second Deputy Speaker,” he disclosed.
By Ernest Kofi Adu