‘Weakling’ DCEs in Ghana more powerful than MPs - Bagbin

Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin has observed that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the country are more powerful than lawmakers.

According to him, the legislature is pivotal in governance which has made it possible for the citizenry to enjoy their liberties and freedoms but still not valued as seen in other democracies.

“In our minds, even the Member of Parliament is to be seen as a junior to the DCE. True or false? How can that weakling be able to hold the most monstrous and powerful president to account to you, your resources you have put in his hands? It can’t happen, it can’t….and that is why in the US, the Members of Parliament are stronger than the Secretaries of State and when they invite a Minister you see him shaking because he knows that he will be grilled publicly”, he disclosed while addressing students’ parliament of the University of Education, Winneba, Kumasi Campus.

He underscored the need for parliament to be strengthened reiterating that it is an important ingredient in the enjoyment of liberties and freedoms of the citizenry.

Hon Bagbin stated that even though the electorates queue to vote for the MPs and the President, they tend not to value the former underscoring the need constitutional reforms to make parliament more powerful.

“Even though you queue and struggle to vote for MPs, you don’t value them. There are only two you vote for; the MPs and the President. So MPs should be able to collectively have the power the President has but parliament will invite the Minister of state and the Minister can decide to come or not to come and you expect to enjoy good democracy. It can’t happen, it is not destined. It is by practice”, he stressed adding that it is bad practice.

The longest serving lawmaker observed that in cases of weak parliaments, democracy suffers adding that it is the situation in Ghana where most people see Ministers as higher and stronger than MPs the reason some of his colleagues always want to catch the eyes of the President to be appointed in order to lord over the rest.