Parliament Should Engage Former Leaders to Mentor Current MPs – Ahmed Ibrahim
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has called on Parliament to draw on the experience of its former leaders to help orient and mentor current Members of Parliament (MPs), particularly in the areas of discipline, leadership and parliamentary practice.
Mr. Ibrahim made the call while speaking at the 9th Parliamentary Crystal Ball Series, held under the theme “One Year of a Super-Majority Parliament: Reflections from Civil Society, Lessons and the Way Forward.”
The event, organized by the Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) in collaboration with the Citizens’ Bureau of the Parliament of Ghana, brought together Members of Parliament, civil society organizations, development partners, and the media to reflect on the theme.
Contributing to the discussion, the Minister praised the leadership styles of former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and the Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, describing their mentorship and leadership as exemplary.
According to him, their style of leadership helped groom many MPs who have since gone on to take up leadership roles in international parliamentary bodies.
Mr. Ibrahim recounted his personal experience working under Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, noting that the former Majority Leader mentored him despite occasions when he publicly criticised him.
He stressed that leadership in Parliament goes beyond managing caucuses and must involve deliberate efforts to train and guide members.
“The obligation of a leader is to train his caucus,” he said, questioning how effective mentorship can occur when a parliamentary leader occupies multiple roles that demand significant time and attention.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Berekum West, Dickson Kyere-Duah, highlighted key challenges confronting MPs in the discharge of their duties.
According to him, parliamentarians often struggle to balance the complex relationship between representing their constituencies, remaining loyal to their political parties, and serving the national interest.
He also pointed to limited resources available to MPs as a major constraint to effective parliamentary work.
Mr. Kyere-Duah therefore advocated increased institutional support for MPs, particularly in the areas of resources, training and logistics, to enable them perform their responsibilities more effectively.
The Parliamentary Crystal Ball Series brings together policymakers, civil society actors and governance experts to reflect on parliamentary performance and propose reforms aimed at strengthening Ghana’s legislative institution.
Report by pKB
