GHANA'S SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT OUTLINES CHALLENGINGS AFFECTING PRIVATE MEMBER'S BILL. 

The Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has outlined some challengings affecting private member's Bill in Ghana.

Giving his key note address as the guest speaker of a public lecture and forum titled "Four Years of Private Member's Bill Regime in Ghana:The Experiences,Lessons and Ways Forward" hosted by the Parliamentary Network Africa(PNAfrica) and the University of Ghana Parliament House(UGPH) celebrating twenty years journey in  consolidating democracy: Nurturing Ghana's Future Leaders.

He mentioned that elected dictatorship, lack of finance, absence of low keys, and absence of civil society vigilance are the challengings mostly affecting the private  bill. 

He revealed that there were bills made by past Parliament  that past presidents did not accent to it.

"The executive trend arises not just from today. Not only this current president that has not accented to a bill"

Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford emphasised that the 1992 constitution has not given any kixote powers to any organ or authority of state.

He explained that there are equal powers in authority and that there is no supreme de la supreme. 

"I have been given only four years to serve with all heart. 

I am just serving as a speaker today tomorrow. You will see me walking out, so I must respect the four years."

According to him, the constitution mandates a collaboration between Parliament and the executive before a bill can be passed.

He added that there is no presidential vito in Ghana's constitution.

He further explained that Parliament provide resources to support parliamentarians in organising workshops to train and educate them on the specific topic since lobbyists are not yet developed in Ghana. 

"So when we talk about our budget, we don't talk about salaries or allowance for mps. it for this kind of work."He lamented. 

He added that Ghana as a country has not created enough space for civil society to be developed. 

He, however, suggested that as a country, we need to have some impartial habiters, which is the civil society, to act as a check to solve  some disagreement that rises between the judiciary, executives and other institutions. 

He called for support and sponsorship for the various civil societies. He said most civil society is being funded from outside. 

He urged the court to look at matters of private members' bill for  a better future.

Report by: PKB