By Jeremiah Nutsugah
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Ghana’s longest-serving lawmaker and current Member of Parliament for Suame, is calling for calm and cooperation amidst the recent parliamentary impasse.
He’s urging Parliament’s leadership to engage in constructive dialogue with Speaker Alban Bagbin to resolve the disruptions that have been hindering parliamentary operations.
Speaking to the media on October 28, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated, “Maybe we need to engage because elections should be held. We need a vote on account for the next succeeding financial year, which hasn’t been done. I think we need to have Parliament recalled to deal with this.”
With the December 7 general elections approaching, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu emphasised the importance of parliamentary unity and functionality, stressing that unresolved issues could negatively impact the upcoming elections.
The Suame legislator pointed out that communication and collaboration are crucial in addressing tensions following Bagbin’s declaration of four parliamentary seats vacant on October 17, which led to the House’s indefinite adjournment.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu warned that a continued deadlock could affect critical legal and procedural frameworks for a smooth election cycle.
He noted that the Electoral Commission must present a Constitutional Instrument (CI) to Parliament, outlining the legal framework for conducting the December 7 elections. Without this CI, the electoral process could be incomplete, complicated, and delayed.
The Electoral Commission of Ghana has begun preparations for the December 7 elections, including printing ballot papers and exhibiting the provisional voters register.
However, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s concerns highlight the need for parliamentary resolution to ensure a seamless electoral process.
