Dr Rasheed Draman, the Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, has said Ghana risks seeing a constitutional abuse with the NDC’s super majority.
According to ACEPA, if the NDC used its super majority for mischief, Ghana risks seeing constitutional abuse, weakened oversight, and a silenced opposition.
ACEPA noted that the NDC numbers can be used as a force for good to deepen our democratic practice and improve parliamentary processes.
The NDC now holds 184 out of 275 seats in Parliament, with four independent MPs, strengthening their grasp on the legislative process. The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has 86 seats.
Speaking to Citi News, Dr Rasheed Draman stated, “These numbers can be used as a force for good—to deepen our democratic practice, improve parliamentary processes, and drive transformative reforms that enhance the image and performance of Parliament”.
“But if they are used as a force for mischief, we risk seeing constitutional abuse, weakened oversight, and a silenced opposition—typical risks associated with unchecked super majorities.”
However, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has also warned the National Democratic Congress (NDC) majority not to suppress the voices of the Minority NPP.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament after the swearing in of Ewurabena Aubynn as MP for Ablekuma North, Speaker Bagbin stated, “We should not use the overwhelming majority to try to bully or stifle the Minority from having their say on the floor of Parliament”
“When you are given this mandate, you must act as the father and mother of the nation. So you must have the patience, you must have the tolerance to listen to the other side,” he added.
Speaker Bagbin cited the late Jerry John Rawlings and President John Dramani Mahama, urging the majority to listen to their advice.
“I hope and pray that this exaltation from both Presidents—His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings and His Excellency John Dramani Mahama—will be taken by you. We must allow our colleagues in the Minority to have their say”, Bagbin reiterated.
Meanwhile, Mahama Ayariga, the Majority leader in parliament, has said the NDC will use its two-thirds majority in Parliament to do many good things for Ghana, also to carry out constitutional reforms.
He added that the NDC majority will not abuse it majority given to it by Ghanaians; we will use it wisely.
Speaking on the floor of parliament on Tuesday, July 22, Mr Ayariga stated, “The National Democratic Congress, for the first time in a very long time, has two-thirds in this House.
With this number, we can do many good things for this country, and with this number, we can carry out significant constitutional reforms to make this country better. Ghanaians today have given us all the numbers that we need to reset Ghana,” Mr Ayariga declared.
“I want to assure Ghanaians that what President John Dramani Mahama said when he was being sworn-in still stands: that the NDC will not abuse the majority given to it by Ghanaians; we will use it wisely. We will use it properly and we will make sure that this number inures to the benefit of Ghanaians,” he said.