Comment: Ghana's incompetent Parliament

Read Article

Comments (46)

This article is closed for comments.

Read Comments Comments (46)

insight to the bone 10 years ago

we dont need no messiah bullshit talk to mislead our people into fantasy , God has said there can be only one messiah and the rest are fakes and liars , only leaders who truly believe in justice and the rule of law will ensur ...
read full comment

we dont need no messiah bullshit talk to mislead our people into fantasy , God has said there can be only one messiah and the rest are fakes and liars , only leaders who truly believe in justice and the rule of law will ensure prosperity. our people based on their own competence and being rewarded on merit will secure together with common sense a sustainable development. vision was a matter of the middle ages , today its about science , proper strategy and hard work. look at all the countries that succeeded , was it about visionary leaders or systems of governance that secured basic freedoms and human rights. America had George Washington who had the good sense not to declare himself king or president for life like nkrumah . Germany willy Brandt and so on. We have a system of governance and a political party that despises and hates its own people . A judiciary which is as useless as toilet paper because it does know what a penal code is , what is punishment with the hope of rehabilitation rather puts young men in jail for 45 years , confirms rigged elections and enabled wanton theft based on judgement debts . we need a bloody revolution in order the clean this nonsense up and reestablish governance based on common sense , justice and real love for our people and their prosperity
KWAKU 10 years ago

Arthur's third and fifth suggestions are what can start the ball rolling in addressing the incompetence and corruption in parliament. No matter how incompetent or corrupt a parliamentarian is, he/she can hide behind a party ...
read full comment

Arthur's third and fifth suggestions are what can start the ball rolling in addressing the incompetence and corruption in parliament. No matter how incompetent or corrupt a parliamentarian is, he/she can hide behind a party label to escape any retribution. I am sure the score-keeping and law suits can bring to realization the suggestions outlined by Arthur. Amidu, the former attorney general, has led the way in the law-suit front. Now, pressure groups can start publishing "score cards" of legislative "approvals" and their impact.

Another very effective way of scaring away corrupt activities from public officials is to pursue law suits to enforce the declaration of assets within the periods prescribed by the constitution. Arthur cannot do these things by himself; this requires the collective effort of all. Let people know how much such suits and score-keeping cost, and they will be ready to contribute toward the funding. The road to a thousand miles begins with one. This can be done.
Kojo 10 years ago

Best Article so far

Best Article so far
RED-SOKOTO-GUDARI 10 years ago

This is what we want to read, this is what will help build our nation and wads! I love this article and its call for non partisan parliamenary members. And a wholistic look at the happenings in parliament. Weed out the selfsi ...
read full comment

This is what we want to read, this is what will help build our nation and wads! I love this article and its call for non partisan parliamenary members. And a wholistic look at the happenings in parliament. Weed out the selfsifh MPs
Close Observer 10 years ago

People of GHANA, do not support POLITICAL PARTIES like you would support HEARTS or KOTOKO. Political parties are a GROUP OF PEOPLE who claimed they can MANAGE AFFAIRS of our COUNTRY for us. They do that FOR A LIVING, and we P ...
read full comment

People of GHANA, do not support POLITICAL PARTIES like you would support HEARTS or KOTOKO. Political parties are a GROUP OF PEOPLE who claimed they can MANAGE AFFAIRS of our COUNTRY for us. They do that FOR A LIVING, and we PAY THEM for what they do. You must therefore use your HEAD not your EMOTION to ASSESS THEIR PERFORMANCE. That is the ONLY WAY you can give them A FAIR ASSESSMENT. When they do a GOOD JOB you RETAIN them, when they don't, you KICK THEM OUT. If they COMMIT any CRIME whiles in OFFICE, you PROSECUTE THEM to serve as DETERRENT for others. Our country can move forward when we do these. Remember also that MEMBERS of PARLIAMENT are accountable to you, the people who put them there. MONITOR what they are doing and question them on it when they come back to you for RE-ELECTION. YOU HAVE THE POWER, not them. For those who PROPAGATE TRIBAL DISCRIMINATION, don't vote for them; and tell them in the face that you don't want GHANA DIVIDED. God bless every Ghanaian. Long Live Ghana.
Chelsea Rolland 10 years ago

Ndc

Ndc
joe sala 10 years ago

You are as useless and incompetent as the MPs
This article has nothing to do with the conduct or performance a particular party - it has everything to do with all politicians. They have all failed us. And if idiots like you ...
read full comment

You are as useless and incompetent as the MPs
This article has nothing to do with the conduct or performance a particular party - it has everything to do with all politicians. They have all failed us. And if idiots like you do not pay attention to detail the suffering will continue.
dan 10 years ago

What surprises me is that Ghanaians refuse to demand accountability from the very people they have put in parliament. In other less tolerant (of ineptitude, mismanagement and corruption)countries the masses have just hit the ...
read full comment

What surprises me is that Ghanaians refuse to demand accountability from the very people they have put in parliament. In other less tolerant (of ineptitude, mismanagement and corruption)countries the masses have just hit the streets in demonstration (Thailand) to make their feelings known and this has resigning(Egypt).
Ghanaians are too tolerant to the extreme; sometimes bordering on cowardice!
Mark cape coast 10 years ago

IF YOU QUESTION THEY REPLY "EYE NORMAL"
This is how Kwame Nkrumah started it.
We were told nothing and given nothing.
Generations in Ghana have grown up not having a say and not knowing the difference between autocratic a ...
read full comment

IF YOU QUESTION THEY REPLY "EYE NORMAL"
This is how Kwame Nkrumah started it.
We were told nothing and given nothing.
Generations in Ghana have grown up not having a say and not knowing the difference between autocratic and democratic govt.
NO NONSENSE TAKER 10 years ago

By their fruit you will know them.
Accountability,probity,social justice,enployment,unity,stability,development,etc

By their fruit you will know them.
Accountability,probity,social justice,enployment,unity,stability,development,etc
SEIDU JOHNSON 10 years ago

THIS GOVERNMENT IS MOST USELESS GOVERNMENT I EVER SEEN, HOW COULD ALMOST 90% OF MAHAMA APOINTEES ARE ALL NORTHNERS?

THIS GOVERNMENT IS MOST USELESS GOVERNMENT I EVER SEEN, HOW COULD ALMOST 90% OF MAHAMA APOINTEES ARE ALL NORTHNERS?
Adam Munkaila, Tamale 10 years ago

Even though the Tolon MP is being charged for corrupttion in the Tamale court, he is still sitting in parliament enjoying all the benefits of an MP. What a crap nation.

Even though the Tolon MP is being charged for corrupttion in the Tamale court, he is still sitting in parliament enjoying all the benefits of an MP. What a crap nation.
TEE 10 years ago

AND THE THIEVING OF MAHAMA AND HIS BROTHER

AND THE THIEVING OF MAHAMA AND HIS BROTHER
TEE 10 years ago

THEY ARE ALL THIEVES PERIOD

THEY ARE ALL THIEVES PERIOD
GHFUO, be serious & change ur MENtali 10 years ago

First, Parliament does not supervise the Executive arm of government.SO WHO ARE THEY? WHY ARENT THEY EVER HELD ACCOUNTABLE?

Second, it has surrendered its constitutional functions to others.
TO WHO? INTEREST GROUPSIN PARL ...
read full comment

First, Parliament does not supervise the Executive arm of government.SO WHO ARE THEY? WHY ARENT THEY EVER HELD ACCOUNTABLE?

Second, it has surrendered its constitutional functions to others.
TO WHO? INTEREST GROUPSIN PARLIAMNT? WHO....?
Third, it is inattentive to detail in its work. MAKE THE PARLIAMNTARIANS ATTENTIVE TO DETAIL. THE PPL IN THEIR RESPECTIVE RIDING MUST GO TO THE MP OFFICES AND PROTEST PEACEFULLY IF THEY ARE NOT GETTING THE SERVICES THEY NEED.

Fourth, it is corrupt.
ARE THEY IN BED WITH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS?
Fifth, it puts its interest above the public interest. WAT ARE ITS INTERESTS? MONEY? ARE THEY TAKING KICKBACKS TO PUSH INAPPROPRIATE AGENDAS? WHY IS THE OPPOSITION SILENT AND WAT IS THEIR MOTIVATION FOR REMAINING SILENT?
Nothing New 10 years ago

We have known of all these issues for years. We keep writing long essays on them. Someone can even use it to earn a Doctorate degree if it hasn't already happened. But they all take us back to square one. Who will begin tackl ...
read full comment

We have known of all these issues for years. We keep writing long essays on them. Someone can even use it to earn a Doctorate degree if it hasn't already happened. But they all take us back to square one. Who will begin tackling the rot?
Our parliamentarians have indeed failed us. But if we get rid of them all - like if the whole parliament building collapse on them Samson style, who will replace them?
We are at cross-roads now. A catch 22 situation. The first thing parliament did was approve handsome salaries for the executives: I believe the judiciary had their share, too. To reciprocate the good deed done, the executive approved handsome take homes for the parliamentarians. Now, in this 'you watch my back, I watch your back' scenario, who is keeping tags on whom?
There is only one way out. In the same way that Mahama benefited from Mills' exit, we all have to pray hard for the entire corrupt leadership - judges, parliamentarians, ministers and presidents - to die, under whichever circumstances, good or bad, so that we can take over our own destiny. Until that happens, I leave it to others to suggest alternative solutions for our dilemma.
Zip Up 10 years ago

I Have Read Your Opinion With Affectionate Compassion, This Is The Only Tool That We Have And We Should Continually Channel Our Opinions, Grumbles, Grievances And Pains Without Trading Insults, Till We Achieve The Demands Of ...
read full comment

I Have Read Your Opinion With Affectionate Compassion, This Is The Only Tool That We Have And We Should Continually Channel Our Opinions, Grumbles, Grievances And Pains Without Trading Insults, Till We Achieve The Demands Of The Ninety-Nine Percent Under-Deprived People Of This Country Ghana My Mother.......... LOL
Joe Kojo 10 years ago

Are you therefore gonig to commit the first assassination? Do that for us to see.

Are you therefore gonig to commit the first assassination? Do that for us to see.
Zip Up 10 years ago

Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm, Yes This Is The Way Our Intellectuals Can Ring The Bell To The Hearing Of Our Dishearted Corrupt Politician And Parliament,Also To Those Lazy Do Nothing With Their Brains Intellectuals In The Country,Of Course ...
read full comment

Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm, Yes This Is The Way Our Intellectuals Can Ring The Bell To The Hearing Of Our Dishearted Corrupt Politician And Parliament,Also To Those Lazy Do Nothing With Their Brains Intellectuals In The Country,Of Course I'm Aware Of The Various Intimedation Up There But Throughout The History Of Mammals The Leadership Have Always Implied Torture On Their Very Subjects As WayTo Continue With Their Rein Of Injustice, Inequality And Corrupt Maners And Attitude, All I Want To Say Is Thank You To Professor Asare And Akwasi Prempeh, But To The Still Sleeping Intellcetuals In The Country To Wakeup And Intellectually Liberate The Ninty-Nine Percent Idigenous People Of This Country Ghana From Corrupt Politicians And Their Compatriots Amen !
Osei Yao 10 years ago

WE EQUALLY GET LITTLE VALUE FOR THE MONEY GHANAIANS PAY TO OVERBEARING, ARROGANT AND GENERALLY, ILLITERATE DOCTORS. MPS ARE NO DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PROFESSIONALS. CLEAN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF DOCTORS WHO RAPE WOMEN BEFORE ...
read full comment

WE EQUALLY GET LITTLE VALUE FOR THE MONEY GHANAIANS PAY TO OVERBEARING, ARROGANT AND GENERALLY, ILLITERATE DOCTORS. MPS ARE NO DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PROFESSIONALS. CLEAN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF DOCTORS WHO RAPE WOMEN BEFORE PERFORMING ABORTION, DO NOT CLEN UP PROPERLY BEFORE TOUCHING PATIENTS.
joe sala 10 years ago

What in the name of goodness is wrong with this article to warrant the diatribe from you. Is it not true that we have a bunch of mediocres presiding over the affairs of our dear country - opposition parties included???? Look ...
read full comment

What in the name of goodness is wrong with this article to warrant the diatribe from you. Is it not true that we have a bunch of mediocres presiding over the affairs of our dear country - opposition parties included???? Look here if people like you spend all your energies cutting down any form of critical observations in our society then may the Almighty God help up. You only find this behaviour amongst primitive and uncivilised people. Have a nice day.
g dot hana (BP) 10 years ago

the UK's legislator ratio is 1:92307 which is closer to Ghana's and the UK has a closer land mass portfolio so... the USA's political system is irrelevant

the UK's legislator ratio is 1:92307 which is closer to Ghana's and the UK has a closer land mass portfolio so... the USA's political system is irrelevant
Obibini Kwame, Accra. 10 years ago

Well done, Kennedy. Expose the weaknesses in our system and institutions because that is the only way Ghana can move forward.

Well done, Kennedy. Expose the weaknesses in our system and institutions because that is the only way Ghana can move forward.
KWAME, BELGIUM 10 years ago

Somehow the points here very correct but is he blaming the common man on the street? Many people enter parliament just because they have the notion that is a place for chop-chop.

Somehow the points here very correct but is he blaming the common man on the street? Many people enter parliament just because they have the notion that is a place for chop-chop.
PK 10 years ago

Authur should have talk about the drill-ship etc too.He should clean his house too. In any case ,the two authorities he cited were on point. Quite frankly, my MP from Central Tongu is worse than the article sought to paint. T ...
read full comment

Authur should have talk about the drill-ship etc too.He should clean his house too. In any case ,the two authorities he cited were on point. Quite frankly, my MP from Central Tongu is worse than the article sought to paint. Tweeeaaaaa
Ghanaba 10 years ago

Spot on. You hit the nail right on the head.

Spot on. You hit the nail right on the head.
USMAN 10 years ago

This is how far our useless university graduates have brought us.

This is how far our useless university graduates have brought us.
MARCUS AMPADU 10 years ago

Is this based on research you've conducted over the years or based on the feelings you are harbor in? Be truthful, Usman.

Is this based on research you've conducted over the years or based on the feelings you are harbor in? Be truthful, Usman.
USMAN 10 years ago

I thought Ampedu was going to disprove me with scores of names of non..univrtsity graduates in Ghana's parliament but nay, he rather resorted to generalization as usual. I don't blame him because he most probably holds a gene ...
read full comment

I thought Ampedu was going to disprove me with scores of names of non..univrtsity graduates in Ghana's parliament but nay, he rather resorted to generalization as usual. I don't blame him because he most probably holds a general education degree like Dr Kpesah Whyte and Dr Charles Jebuni.
James 10 years ago

Say it Again!!!!!!!. This ridiculous practice of creating Districts and Constituencies must be stopped. When it comes to competency of MP's a lot leaves to be desired. How else could they be approving some bad external loans ...
read full comment

Say it Again!!!!!!!. This ridiculous practice of creating Districts and Constituencies must be stopped. When it comes to competency of MP's a lot leaves to be desired. How else could they be approving some bad external loans such as the one for the Ridge Hospital expansion?
Mark 10 years ago

James, you have hit the nail right on the head. Do you know the timing for the creation of new constituencies and districts in this country? It is normally done during the year of elections and your guess as to why it is do ...
read full comment

James, you have hit the nail right on the head. Do you know the timing for the creation of new constituencies and districts in this country? It is normally done during the year of elections and your guess as to why it is done at this time could be as right as mine. As at now some of the new districts that were created are still struggling to stand on their feet. If you analyze everything, you would realize that their creation is a big financial loss to the State. Why do I say so? You have the new staff who have no proper offices and logistics to work with and yet every month are being paid their salaries for no work done. DCEs are driving Nissan Patrols but are not doing anything through no fault of theirs. If this is not financial loss to the State, then tell me what it is? Yet people will tell you that it is to bring about development to these newly Districts that necessitated their creation. Where is the development when these newly created Districts cannot be empowered to work? The hidden motive was to get votes in order to remain in power. Period.
BOY90 UK 10 years ago

Ghanaians hate critical and analytical minds that tell the truth.INCOMPETENT MP's take home GHS7,200.00 aside other allowances per month a lecturers GHS3,000 per month yet a book loan per year is creating problem for Ghanaian ...
read full comment

Ghanaians hate critical and analytical minds that tell the truth.INCOMPETENT MP's take home GHS7,200.00 aside other allowances per month a lecturers GHS3,000 per month yet a book loan per year is creating problem for Ghanaians.
Chief Shehu 10 years ago

Pls.only Allah will help you to continue with this piece of crusade i need to support you.There's a saying that always a fish got rotten from the head.I can't trust the president and his appointees.

Pls.only Allah will help you to continue with this piece of crusade i need to support you.There's a saying that always a fish got rotten from the head.I can't trust the president and his appointees.
EDUARDO DOMINGO 10 years ago

PLEASE THROW THAT OUT !!! GHANA'S PARLIAMENT IS THE BEST IN AFRICA , AND SO IT CAN NOT BE INCOMPETENT. IF YOU SAY CORRUPT I WILL AGREE WITH YOU , THEY WORK HARD IF ONLY HARDER WHEN THEY NEED TO ASK FOR MORE MONEY AND BENEFITS ...
read full comment

PLEASE THROW THAT OUT !!! GHANA'S PARLIAMENT IS THE BEST IN AFRICA , AND SO IT CAN NOT BE INCOMPETENT. IF YOU SAY CORRUPT I WILL AGREE WITH YOU , THEY WORK HARD IF ONLY HARDER WHEN THEY NEED TO ASK FOR MORE MONEY AND BENEFITS, BUT THEY ARE FAR FROM INCOMPETENT, WHAT KIND OF INCOMPETENT PEOPLE CAN MILK THE NATION THEY WAY THEY DO?
Mark 10 years ago

Eduardo, this assertion of yours is ridiculous. If they are the best in Africa in terms of competence, they still need to improve. Let us not glory in mediocrity and this is the problem of many of us Africans. Let us eschew ...
read full comment

Eduardo, this assertion of yours is ridiculous. If they are the best in Africa in terms of competence, they still need to improve. Let us not glory in mediocrity and this is the problem of many of us Africans. Let us eschew minimalism in our attitudes.
ANITA DE DWARFS 10 years ago

For the first time I agree with you. Our Parliament has so many semi-literates, like the "Trees under Schools" Parliamentarian, who have no idea of their responsibilities and obligations to those who elected them. All they do ...
read full comment

For the first time I agree with you. Our Parliament has so many semi-literates, like the "Trees under Schools" Parliamentarian, who have no idea of their responsibilities and obligations to those who elected them. All they do is fight for their own pecks and privileges and serve as rubber stamps for the Executive. It is these stupid parliamentarians who passed the Bill imposing 17.5%VAT on Home Buyers even while they and the Government are expected to make good their promise to make housing affordable for the people of this country. Instead of affordable, they have made housing unaffordable and out of the reach of ordinary Ghanaians. They join the Executive in shielding themselves with hefty salary increments and watch poor Ghanaians suffer under heavy tax burdens in ver deplorable living conditions. That is all our "Honorable" Members of Parliament know how to do.
MARCUS AMPADU 10 years ago

Dr. Arthur Kennedy is right in his assessment.
Our legislators, are mostly incompetent, for the simple fact that they are aware that the majority of the people they serve cannot read and write, and think critically. They can ...
read full comment

Dr. Arthur Kennedy is right in his assessment.
Our legislators, are mostly incompetent, for the simple fact that they are aware that the majority of the people they serve cannot read and write, and think critically. They cannot read what the Constitution is saying, nor do they understand is saying. And our Media Houses and religious bodies worsen the situation by injecting politics and God this and God that into everything we do. Might have to have a constitutional amendment to have ten regional parliaments to serve each of the 10 regions within a unitary for of government.

Parliamentarians should visit other more successful democracies and observe how they work - serve the people's interest. As it stands now, our legislators are beholden to their parties' interests and not to the interests of the country. And that is really bad.
Dede 10 years ago

These two parties have used us to play the tribal game for too long.They both support foreign interest over that of Ghanaians.
You all live average lives in a rich country because only politicians,their family and friends ...
read full comment

These two parties have used us to play the tribal game for too long.They both support foreign interest over that of Ghanaians.
You all live average lives in a rich country because only politicians,their family and friends plus Europeans live what should be freely accessible to u with hard work.
Now they are both supporting EPA and GMO for YOUR CHILDREN and you still support them.
May I politely ask you,Is it that you enjoy to suffer or play servant all your lives in your own country that has enough for all its citizens if managed prudently with YOU the citizen being the priority overall things foreign.
Your only help is the CPP at this stage because you don't have a choice,unless you want GMO and EPA.
The CPP has been the only one in our post independence history been responsible for the highest number of development projects with full Ghanaian ownership.
The eu would not even dream of initiating EPA or GMO and gay ism with a CPP government because they know it is a party for its people first and Africans above all else.
Where did that love go?
HAZOR 10 years ago

First of all most of the MP's are ignorant about the constitution and its content.Most of them did not understand their responsibility just to stooge.How do we expect parliament to work while some are "mumu".Parliament is not ...
read full comment

First of all most of the MP's are ignorant about the constitution and its content.Most of them did not understand their responsibility just to stooge.How do we expect parliament to work while some are "mumu".Parliament is not only incompetent but useless if their cannot demand accountability from tax payers money given to ministers to complete task and can not invite minister to come and render their stewardship to society as a shame is tax payers money fill people's pockets.
Millionaire 10 years ago

Do we have an oversight of government revenue, expenditure, and budget in Ghana, similar to the Congressional Budget Office in the US? If we don't we need one now! I have a hard time understanding how these politicians are ab ...
read full comment

Do we have an oversight of government revenue, expenditure, and budget in Ghana, similar to the Congressional Budget Office in the US? If we don't we need one now! I have a hard time understanding how these politicians are able to enrich themselves at the expense of the tax payers within a short period of time after being elected.
KKO 10 years ago

Yes, Arthur K.,,
A more hopeless institution you cannot find anywhere in the world. Some MPs have been in successive Parliaments for years and still cannot point to one good contribution they ever made in the House.

We ne ...
read full comment

Yes, Arthur K.,,
A more hopeless institution you cannot find anywhere in the world. Some MPs have been in successive Parliaments for years and still cannot point to one good contribution they ever made in the House.

We need changes to the Constitution, especially the Imperial powers granted to Jerry Rawlings by his handpicked yes men and women. We all watched tamely as they sowed those seeds of discord and we are all reaping the whirlwind today!
Siisi 10 years ago

Yeah man, brother Kennedy, you're spot-on with your observation on the liability that parliament has become to this country.It no secret that parliament is now only a means to improve one's material circumstance than to serve ...
read full comment

Yeah man, brother Kennedy, you're spot-on with your observation on the liability that parliament has become to this country.It no secret that parliament is now only a means to improve one's material circumstance than to serve the country at a higher calling requiring self-sacrifice and an intelligent self application for the public good.
Samuel Asare-Nkansah (USA) 10 years ago

Briefly,there is a huge waste in the system.The heads and members of all the previous administrations come into office to SELF SERVICE (by way of corruption and cronism)forgetting the fact that they were elected to SERVE THE ...
read full comment

Briefly,there is a huge waste in the system.The heads and members of all the previous administrations come into office to SELF SERVICE (by way of corruption and cronism)forgetting the fact that they were elected to SERVE THE PEOPLE.It has become an avenue to self-enrichment to the detriment of the common lowly paid worker or citizen.THIS IS THE HUMAN ASPECT OF THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.Fellow Ghanaians,we all love Ghana and steps must be boldly taken to solve this.IT IS SOLVABLE!!!
Kwaku Amexo 10 years ago

Thanks Dr. You are right on the money. It has to start from educating the voters. It is about time we stop listening to politicians that promise heaven just to buy votes.

Thanks Dr. You are right on the money. It has to start from educating the voters. It is about time we stop listening to politicians that promise heaven just to buy votes.
link building 9 years ago

YxvqE1 This is one awesome article post.Much thanks again.

YxvqE1 This is one awesome article post.Much thanks again.
crorkz matz 9 years ago

bUuccY I truly appreciate this blog post.Thanks Again. Great.

bUuccY I truly appreciate this blog post.Thanks Again. Great.

Comment: Ghana's incompetent Parliament

Read Comments .st0{display:none;fill:#14BDD3;} .st1{display:none;} .st2{display:inline;fill:#FC0F0F;} .st3{display:inline;fill:#FFFFFF;} .st4{display:inline;fill:none;stroke:#000000;stroke-width:6;stroke-miterlimit:10;} Comments (46)

Read Comments Comments (46)