Parliament is in crisis of confidence – CDD’s Osae-Kwapong warns fresh allegations could ceepen public distrust
Democracy and Development Fellow at CDD-Ghana, Dr John Osae-Kwapong, has warned that fresh allegations involving political actors could further erode public confidence in Parliament.
Dr John Osae-Kwapong, a Democracy and Development Fellow at CDD-Ghana, has expressed concern that recent allegations involving political figures could further diminish public confidence in Parliament. During an appearance on Joy News’ PM Express, Dr Osae-Kwapong emphasized that the issues extend beyond the individuals involved, potentially reflecting negatively on the institution of Parliament as a whole.
He cited an Afrobarometer survey which indicated the current precarious position of Parliament in the eyes of citizens, citing low trust and high perceptions of corruption. Dr Osae-Kwapong warned that the latest allegations could exacerbate existing public perceptions of Parliament, reinforcing a negative view of the country's democratic representative institution.
The controversy currently at the center of this issue involves Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi, with Gyamfi accusing some critics of GoldBod, including Afenyo-Markin, of being extortionists. Afenyo-Markin denied the allegation and threatened legal action over what he deemed defamatory.
Dr Osae-Kwapong stressed the potential consequences of such controversies on an institution already grappling with public trust, highlighting the central role Parliament plays in Ghana's democratic system as a check on the Executive, a provider of oversight, and as the body responsible for creating laws on behalf of the citizens.
He expressed worry about the implications these allegations could have on Parliament, which is already not in good standing in the public's view.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
