Justice Abdulai: Changes in Power Will Require Executives to Collaborate with Parliament

The declaration of four parliamentary seats vacant by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, appears to have triggered a big power shift that raises many questions about the way the Executive is going to work with Parliament from now on.

According to Justice Abdulai, a legal practitioner, the changed balance of power could translate into increased cooperation between the executive and Parliament, all the more so as the NPP is confronted with the loss of its majority to the NDC.

This followed a motion filed by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, which saw the Speaker vacate the seats of three MPs running as independents and one independent MP, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, who intends to run on the NPP ticket. In the latest development, the NDC now has 136, with the NPP at 135, making the NDC the majority caucus in Parliament. This is a development that could have major implications for the manner in which legislative decisions will be taken in the House over the ensuing months.

Also Read: Mahama Hails Declaration of 4 Vacant Seats as Divine Sign of NDC's December Victory

In an interview with Eyewitness News, Abdulai noted that this would greatly alter the power dynamics in the House, going forward, and more so, in terms of how the executive would subsequently deal with opposition MPs since it no longer constitutes the majority, the government could be expected to strike negotiations more frequently with the NDC to ensure legislation goes through.

Abdulai said this could mark a turning point in the democratic process of Ghana, where the executive would be made to look at Parliament with a high degree of cooperation and collaboration. He also added that he hopes the change of circumstances is going to improve the governance and make the legislative process more efficient for the greater good of the public in times to come.