Former Head of the Political Science Department at KNUST, Dr. Richard Amoako Baah, has strongly criticized the conduct of Ghana’s Parliament, describing recent events in the House as disgraceful and unacceptable.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, Dr. Amoako Baah expressed his disappointment over the chaotic scenes that unfolded in Parliament last Thursday. According to him, MPs seem to forget their crucial role in Ghana’s leadership, behaving irresponsibly despite being well-compensated by the state.
“It is shameful. Maybe the parliamentarians forget that they are an integral part of the Ghanaian leadership. They are not schoolboys, so they should behave themselves all the time,” he lamented. “We pay them good money. We spend most of the money we don’t have on them, and yet this is what they do. Every chance they get, they disgrace themselves. Why?”
Dr. Amoako Baah singled out MP Afanyo Makine, accusing him of unnecessary grandstanding. “All sorts of things he said were not necessary at all—just wasting time, showcasing himself as a good parliamentarian. But he’s not,” he stated.
The discussion also touched on the reaction of the Minority Caucus, who argued that their actions were a result of frustration over the Majority side’s refusal to adhere to agreed procedures. However, Dr. Amoako Baah dismissed this claim, stating that due process is defined by law, not private agreements.
“The minority is not in charge anymore,” he emphasized. “The majority party committee chairman makes the decisions, not the ranking member or any minority leader.”
On the claim that the Minority had shown cooperation by waiving the traditional 14-day notice for vetting ministerial nominees, Dr. Amoako Baah questioned their definition of cooperation, stating that parliamentary rules must be followed regardless of past practices.
“What is rancor then? If this is cooperation, what is rancor?” he asked. “They have forgotten they are no longer in the majority. This is not how parliamentary proceedings go ahead. Let them go and do it right.”
He also defended Speaker Alban Bagbin’s authority, rejecting suggestions that the Speaker had overstepped his powers. “Some crazy people are saying the Speaker didn’t have the power to do that. Who does then? Who has the power to bring discipline to Parliament?”
