Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, the paramount Chief of Asante Mampong Traditional Area, has expressed grave concern over the continuous approval of loans by Parliamentarians, which have negative consequences for the country.
According to him, the citizenry expect prudent decisions that would help reduce our local and foreign debts and for that matter, Parliament must diligently scrutinize financial agreements to ensure value for money.
He noted that unfortunately approving loans with negative consequences for the country and the people is the order of the day.
The Mamponghene, who represented Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, at a Public Forum as part of activities marking the celebration of 30 years of Ghana’s Parliamentary democracy, under the fourth Republic, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science Technology (KNUST), noted that if Parliament exercises its oversight responsibilities prudently, the country would not be in its current economic predicaments.
He stated that Parliamentary oversight action and function is the cornerstone of democracy and, therefore, crucial to hold the Executive accountable and ensure implementation of policies in accordance with the laws and the budget approved by Parliament.
He said Parliament is the most important arm of government because it plays a crucial representative role and, therefore, imperative that they champion the aspirations of Ghanaians in terms of social amenities.
The Mamponghene emphasised the need for political activists to create an enabling environment for the good people of Ghana and urged Parliament to do everything to build a society that would stand the test of time.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, stated that the three decades of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy is worth celebrating.
He disclosed that, currently, Ghana does not have majority and minority sides in Parliament but rather have Majority and Minority caucuses, which has attracted many Parliaments in the world to learn from the Ghana experiences, which he sees as an achievement that Ghana must be proud of.
The Speaker said Parliamentarians must be held accountable to the people to be able to also hold the Executive accountable.
