Partisan solidarity overrides accountability – Dr Dramani accuses Parliament of protecting its own
Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Rasheed Dramani, has accused Parliament of repeatedly failing to hold its own members accountable when serious allegations are made against them.
Dr Rasheed Dramani, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, has criticized Ghana's Parliament for prioritizing partisan loyalty over accountability. During a recent interview on Joy News’ PM Express, Dr Dramani expressed concern over the lack of scrutiny against lawmakers, which has fueled perceptions of corruption within the institution.
He emphasized that while the controversy surrounding Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has garnered attention, the real issue lies in the credibility of Parliament itself, especially in a context of a supermajority government.
Dr Dramani argued that the Ghanaian public's trust in Parliament is eroding due to the tendency of MPs to support colleagues accused of wrongdoing without demanding evidence. This "partisan solidarity" undermines the institution's integrity and weakens its ability to hold the Executive accountable. He pointed out that when lawmakers accused of misconduct appear in court, they often receive backing from their peers, further damaging Parliament's reputation.
The executive director also questioned whether Parliament applies the same level of scrutiny to itself as it does to the Executive. He cited the Public Accounts Committee's efforts in 2024, which held 31 hearings and recommended over 1,000 recoveries, as an example of the need for consistent standards. However, he expressed doubt about whether Parliament applies these standards internally, suggesting that the political repercussions of investigating colleagues could deter such actions.
The current dispute between Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin and GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi over allegations of extortion provides an opportunity for Parliament to showcase transparency in handling such matters. Dr Dramani proposed that Parliament establish an investigative committee comprising MPs and eminent Ghanaians to ensure a thorough resolution of allegations.
He stressed the importance of a clear path from accusation to resolution, with appropriate sanctions or exoneration depending on the findings. Dr Dramani concluded by urging Parliament to demonstrate that it can resolve allegations against its members in a transparent manner, thereby restoring public trust.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
