Parliament scrutinises govt but cannot scrutinise itself – Dramani challenges MPs to apply their own standards

Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Rasheed Dramani, has urged Parliament to apply the same scrutiny it uses against the government to allegations of misconduct involving its own members. Speaking on Joy News' PM Express, Dr Dramani emphasized that this issue concerns Parliament as an institution, especially given its current supermajority.

He expressed concern not just about Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, but about the credibility of parliamentary leadership, particularly during a time of supermajority.

Dr Dramani challenged Parliament to uphold the standards it demands from the government, asserting the need for leaders with integrity to hold both the majority and the Executive accountable. He pointed out several factors contributing to low public trust in Parliament and perceptions of corruption, including partisan solidarity overruling accountability. Accusations against MPs often result in caucus solidarity rather than critical scrutiny, he noted.

The Executive Director also questioned Parliament's moral authority to self-scrutinise, citing the Public Accounts Committee's exemplary work as an example of the standards Parliament could apply to itself. He challenged Parliament to apply the same standards to its members when such issues arise. Political considerations can deter MPs from investigating their colleagues, he said, and the lack of a clear process from allegation to resolution has contributed to public mistrust.

Dr Dramani proposed that Parliament consider allowing independent voices in investigations. He suggested a committee made up of MPs and eminent Ghanaians, rather than relying solely on external investigative bodies, in order to improve Parliament's image and deal with the matter more effectively. The resolution process must lead to a clear outcome, he stressed, whether sanctions are applied or exonerations occur.