Minority, the best means of parliamentary control – Haruna Iddrisu

Sunday, January 20, 2019 Policy

Source: ghananewsagency.org

2019-01-20

In Ghana, the best vehicle for parliamentary oversight is the minority, as the majority struggle to hold their governments to account, said Haruna Iddrisu, minority leader in parliament.

He added that other ways of exercising parliamentary control include debates, committees, questions, inquiry, private members' motions and adjournments, debates, approval of appointments to executive and other positions. censorship of ministers.

"In terms of performance, I dare say that parliamentary oversight in Ghana is not a myth but a reality. However, much remains to be done, particularly in the area of ​​research and policy badysis, to inform the debate and the in-depth review of government policy and action, "he said. declared.

Mr. Iddrisu said this during his presentation at the 70th edition of the New Year School and Conference of the University of Ghana, Legon.

Parliamentary oversight involves the review, oversight and supervision of government and public bodies, including the implementation of policy and legislation.

Others must detect and prevent abuse, arbitrary behavior or illegal and unconstitutional behavior by government and public sector organizations.

It also means asking the government to be accountable for how taxpayers' money is used.

Speaking on the theme: "Effective Legislative Oversight of Countervailing Authorities", Mr. Iddrisu stated that the oversight function was essential as it ensured the horizontal accountability of the government and its agencies to the people through Through their elected representatives.

He added that parliamentary control was normally exercised to ensure that the powers conferred on the executive and its agents were used in accordance with the regulations in force.

"Parliamentary control comes in two forms:" ex-ante control ": overseeing the development of a given policy or" ex-post control ": overseeing the implementation and implementation of policies. a given policy. "

Iddrisu said while most legislatures have the power to hold the government accountable, the tools they could use to carry out their oversight function varied considerably.

This variation reflects to a large extent the difference in form of government and type of constitutional arrangement.

He stated that parliamentary control is rooted in the Constitution, the Parliament's Rules of Procedure and the ways and customs.

He cited Articles 78 and 79 of the Constitution, which enjoin the President to ask Parliament for the prior approval of his candidates for appointments of ministers and deputy ministers.

Under section 103, Parliament has the authority to designate committees to carry out its task effectively. These committees are responsible, among other things, for investigating and studying the activities and administration of the departments and services that Parliament determines.

Article 174 of the Constitution says: "No tax may be imposed otherwise by or under the authority of Parliament, nor may a fee be waived or changed without the authority of Parliament".

In addition, Article 178 provides that sums of money may be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund only to meet an expenditure charged to the Fund by the Constitution or by an Act of Parliament.

Iddrisu said the public appointment of Parliament's public accounts committee helped to mitigate financial malpractices by public officials.

He added that one of the main challenges was the speed with which Parliament approves certain agreements and adopts certain bills. indicating that; "This leaves the public wondering if there has been an appropriate review – for example, the Financial Accountability Bill of 2018, which was pbaded under the Emergency Certificate and the Bill of Rights. agreement on drones ".

"There is also an excessive politicization of certain issues, which weakens the power of parliamentary control."

He added that the excessive intrusion of the executive with the promise of rewarding ministerial appointments or appointments to the parastatal boards of directors for members who fired from it auction was another challenge.

Iddrisu said the president, using his powers to protect the executive to make it look good by refusing questions or limiting debate on issues the government considers embarrbading, also hampers control. of Parliament.

The 70th edition of the conference and the New Year's School, which took place from 14 to 18 January, was on the theme: "Building Strong Institutions for the Consolidation of Democracy in Ghana".

It was organized by the School of Continuing Education and Distance Education College of the University of Ghana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.