Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Ransford Gyampoh is bemoaned over the non-existence of substantive ministers although appointments have been made by the President Akufo-Addo awaiting a parliamentary vetting, thus, calling on the President and his handlers to give what Parliament wants.
In a Facebook post on April 24, 2024, Professor Gyampoh was of the view that, the case of important ministries such as the ministries of Health, Local Government, Environment, Science and Technology, etc. not having substantive ministers stem from the showdown between the Executive and the legislature.
Professor Gyampoh wrote, "Ghana is now being governed with important ministries such as the ministries of Health, Local Government, Environment Science and Technology, etc. not having substantive ministers though there have been nominees, they haven’t had the legitimacy and approval of the people of Ghana to work because of the showdown between Parliament and the Executive."
According to Professor Gyampoh, the current Parliament Ghana operates demands that there be a constant consensus building between the executive and the legislature in order for the government business to run smoothly.
He stated that the shown between the executive and the legislature is as a result of the Hung Parliament.
"It is important for all to appreciate the fact that the showdown between the two arms of government, is symptomatic of the current type of parliament we have. It is a hung Parliament, and any attempt at governing without appreciating how to deal with such a parliament, would create much difficulties especially for the executive arm of government," he said.
"Unfortunately, it appears, either the President erroneously believes he is clothed with enough powers to bulldoze his way through our Parliament, regardless of its current nature, or his handlers and advisors, have been super-incompetent in socializing him about the dogmas of hung Parliament and the Presidential comportment or temperament required to work successfully with such a parliament," Professor Gyampoh further highlighted.
Professor Gyampoh's assertion comes on the heel of the recent refusal of the Parliament to carry on with the ministerial and deputy ministerial vetting following an injunction suit by the South Dayi lawmaker, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor which sought to restrain the speaker from going ahead with the vetting.
Meanwhile, following the passage of the anti-gay bill, the Secretary wrote to the Speaker allegedly ordering him to desist from transferring the bill to the President for his assent due to an impending suit at the Supreme Court by media personality, Richard Dela Sky.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, in reacting to the said letter from the Presidency, also referred to the injunction at the Supreme Court as a basis of the suspension of the ministerial and deputy ministerial vetting.
Professor Gyampoh further wrote, "given that in Ghana, whoever wins the election to become an executive president has access to ATM machine on his veranda, the executive arm of government can sometimes use financial inducements, particularly at a time when man y broke MPs are seeking elections, to get Parliament to do its bidding. But this cannot be sustained in a Hung parliament."
He, therefore, called on the President to give the legislature what they want.
"A simple appreciation of this, should make the President and his handlers do the needful in giving Parliament what it wants, so Ghana can have substantive ministers to man the very important ministries that currently have no ministers," he added.
