Predicting The Speaker’s Gavel

The Deputy Minority Chief Whip Iddrisu Habib was unsurprised when his request for an ad hoc probe into the cocaine cases was dismissed. Most Ghanaians anticipated the Speaker's decision, with National Democratic Congress members hoping for a resolution that would allow the party to move forward, while New Patriotic Party members recognized the importance of addressing the image issue affecting their party.

Despite the legal jargon and references to Standing Orders, the Speaker's decision lacked credibility. Previous instances have demonstrated the Speaker's inconsistent approach to similar matters. If the Minority's request had been granted, it would have been a surprise. In situations involving political morality, the Speaker's decision is often predictable.

Prioritizing the interests of the NDC, rather than Ghana as a whole, appears to be the Speaker's top priority. The previous actions of the Speaker, when issues were present in both the judiciary and legislature, raised questions about his integrity. The Speaker's ruling, lacking finesse, led many to question his political motivations.

The public discourse on this matter continues, with some viewing it as an indictment of how serious issues are handled under the current political leadership. The Speaker's firm stance on the LGBTQI+ issue, insisting on the President signing the bill, was at odds with the position of the former President, who believed the President should not sign a bill pending court proceedings.

This stance was disputed by the Speaker, prompting questions about his moral judgments. In the Kpandai Constituency controversy, the Speaker declared the seat vacant, despite Matthew Nyindam's MP's insistence that it was not permissible. The Speaker's decision was later overturned in a higher court ruling. The cocaine saga has received a boost, providing a positive signal to those who have seen Ghana as a suitable environment for their business.