Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has stated that he will not allow the President to appoint sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) to serve on boards, including some as Chief Executives, of state institutions without his certification, as required by the constitution.
He stated that the action reeks of political favoritism and that he will crack the whip on it.
Speaker Bagbin expressed these sentiments when he swore in newly elected executives of the Parliamentary Press Corps on Monday, April 3.
He insisted that appointments of MPs to boards and other positions by sitting Presidents leave the House with only Minority members to debate issues.
But he said the situation has been left to fester because Presidents breathe on the neck of Speakers while they get the tacit approval of the masses including the MPs themselves.
“I am not under that pressure and I can sail my own boat and I intend to do that,” he said.
“Before anybody is given appointment, the Speaker must give that certificate. It is not just for the president to sit down and dictate and co-opt everybody and leave Parliament with only the Minority to rather be critical of government’s actions and inaction.
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“That is not helpful to our democracy and we have to crack the whip on this matter.”
