�We Need �Rebels� In Parliament�

COMMISSIONER of the Statute Law Review Commission, Professor Justice V.C.R.A.C Crabbe, has called for some radical changes in the way parliamentary businesses are ran.

Professor Justice Crabbe opined that the whipping system being used in the current parliament was not helping national cohesion and total development.

According to him, Ghana needs ‘rebels’ in the August House to change the face of Parliament.

“We need people who will be courageous and dammed all the consequences by standing up to their political leadership to say no to partisan issues that are not in the interest of the state.

The law professor made this assertion at the inaugural ceremony of the Parliamentary Training Institute held on Friday, 23 December, 2016 at Parliament House in Accra.

He was of the view that Legislature ought to be independent of the Executive to enable it execute its oversight duties as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

According to him, Parliament ought to have ‘rebels’ who will not toe party lines but vote based on their individual understanding of issues that are in the interest of their constituents.

He explained that an elected president, for instance, can abandon his campaign promises to the people if the promises are in contrast with the national constitution.

Professor Justice Crabbe however, cautioned that the Directive Principle of State Policies and a National Development Plan outfit should be the guide to any president.

The Commissioner of the Statute Law Review Commission therefore entreated the new government not to abandon projects of the outgoing government.

For his part, the out-going Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Edward Doe Adjaho, expressed shock at the output of some Members of Parliament (MPs).

According to him, the quality of debate on motions and questions filed by the MPs during parliamentary proceedings left so much to be desired, hence the establishment of the Parliamentary Training Institute (PTI) to train MPs, staff and other institutions who work closely with law makers.

Rt. Hon. Adjaho therefore, urged the incoming legislators as well as old MPs who will return to the House during the 7th Parliament to take advantage of the Training Centre to improve upon their output and efficiency.