The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has emphasized that patience is fundamental to sustaining democracy in Ghana. Speaking during a press engagement in Parliament on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, Bagbin urged patience and restraint in addressing the current issue of vacant parliamentary seats. He noted that impatience could lead to complications and urged for a measured approach.
“There can be no democracy without patience, tolerance, discipline, collaboration, love for one another, and conscious nation-building,” Bagbin stated.
The current situation follows the Speaker’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant. The move was prompted by the Members of Parliament occupying those seats announcing their intentions to contest the upcoming elections under political parties other than the ones that initially brought them to Parliament. This case, now before the Supreme Court, has sparked widespread debate and criticism, particularly after Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo expressed concerns during last week’s proceedings.
Despite the situation, Bagbin assured the public that Parliament is “alive and working.” He clarified that plenary sessions had been adjourned indefinitely due to the absence of a quorum required to make decisions. Bagbin further noted that resolving the issue will require collaboration beyond Parliament’s leadership alone, stressing the need for time and broader engagement to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
In recent weeks, Parliament has conducted limited business, with plans to resume full activities on Thursday. The Speaker’s remarks come at a time when the integrity of the country’s democratic process has come under scrutiny, underscoring the importance of patience in navigating parliamentary and constitutional challenges.
