‘Honourable’ no longer reflects parliament’s reality – Ntow

Nana Ohene Ntow has raised serious concerns about the current state of Ghana’s Parliament, particularly in the wake of ongoing tensions and disruptions during ministerial vetting sessions and parliamentary committee proceedings.

In an interview on TV3’s KeyPoints monitored by MyNewsGH, Ntow described the situation in Parliament as a reflection of the dysfunction in Ghana’s political climate, lamenting that the institution no longer commands the respect it once did.

“What does it mean to call someone ‘honourable’ when their behaviour doesn’t reflect the dignity of the title?” Ntow asked, emphasizing the widening gap between the ideals of parliamentary service and the actions of some of its members.

“It’s a sad state of affairs when Parliament is no longer seen as a place of serious governance but a stage for personal disputes and theatrical posturing,” he added, pointing out the growing trend of public bickering and distractions from critical national issues.

His frustration was particularly evident when discussing the role of parliamentary committees, especially the leadership within them.

Ntow criticized committee chairman Bernard Ahiafor for failing to maintain order during contentious sessions, suggesting that “more decisive leadership is required to prevent chaotic situations from spiraling out of control.” He pointed out that the lack of effective leadership had led to unnecessary confrontations, further eroding public trust in the institution.

Ntow explained that a simple decision to take a break or temporarily suspend sittings could have defused tensions, allowing for more productive discussions.

“A quick break could have allowed tempers to cool and allowed for a more effective discussion,” he said, underscoring how small adjustments in parliamentary procedures could improve the quality of debate and decision-making.

Despite his criticism, Ntow stopped short of calling for the removal of the chairman but stressed the need for improvement.

“There needs to be improvement in their management of parliamentary procedures,” he noted. “If this chaos continues, the committee chairman cannot escape responsibility for the dysfunction,” he warned, suggesting that the poor handling of contentious issues within committees could have broader repercussions for the entire Parliament.

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