Prof Kwasi Prempeh questions Mahama’s approach to endorsing Bagbin
According to him, the Speaker plays a crucial role in working collaboratively with ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) within the president's government to ensure effective governance.
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Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development-Ghana (CDD-Ghana), has stated that there is no issue with a president openly endorsing a candidate for the position of Speaker of Parliament.
According to him, the Speaker plays a crucial role in working collaboratively with ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) within the president's government to ensure effective governance. Therefore, a president’s public support for a candidate is understandable.
“It is natural for the President, as head of government, to have a vested interest in the selection of a Speaker, given the need for close coordination between the Speaker, the President, and his ministers to maintain effective governance,” he explained.
He further noted that in situations where the president’s party holds a significant majority in Parliament, the president’s preference is likely to carry considerable influence in the MPs' decision-making process. As such, there is no harm in the president openly declaring support for a candidate and encouraging MPs to align with that choice.
However, Prof. Prempeh also raised concerns about creating a perception that the Speaker is merely a presidential appointee. He emphasized that this could reinforce the problem of an overreaching executive in Ghana, reducing the independence of the legislature.
These remarks were made in response to President-elect John Mahama’s statement urging the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership in Parliament to nominate Alban Bagbin for re-election as Speaker in the next parliamentary session.
Prof. Prempeh suggested that such statements from the president-elect should be carefully worded. He proposed that the statement could have been phrased as follows: “The Members of Parliament-elect of the National Democratic Congress, [having consulted with the National Executive of the Party], have agreed collectively to support the nomination and re-election of the Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of the 8th Parliament, as Speaker of the 9th Parliament.”
He explained that such phrasing would allow the president to express his endorsement in a manner that reflects party consensus, while still demonstrating his support for the nominee.
Prof. Prempeh concluded by congratulating Alban Bagbin, noting that his re-election as Speaker of the 9th Parliament reflects the Majority party’s support. He expressed optimism that Bagbin’s leadership would contribute to the effective functioning of Parliament.
In response, Alban Bagbin extended his gratitude to Mr. Mahama for the endorsement, assuring the president-elect and the party of his commitment to serving diligently and effectively.