Parliament Beyond Partisanship: why Ghana’s democracy may be facing its most significant test now!-Hon Dr John Ampontuah Kumah

The honour of service is an embodiment of my life, and throughout my life journey, I have offered myself to serve anytime the opportunity presents itself. I’m always delighted and full of joy when serving people. Perhaps, service to humanity is my call. Therefore, I view public service as a call to serve. I am constantly reminded of what I can do for those I serve, and I strive to do my very best at all times.

In the end, leadership is about the impact one can make in the lives of the people they serve, and I do not relent or take for granted the opportunity to serve. These defining leadership principles and traits continue to guide me even as the Member of Parliament for the good people of Ejisu Constituency.

As a Deputy Finance Minister, at all times, I provide my Minister with my utmost support and expertise to help turn around the country’s fortunes for the benefit of the ordinary Ghanaian. I’m honoured and privileged to be supporting Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta and Hon. Charles Adu Boahen in delivering the transformation agenda of H.E. President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Now, I share my views on the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic. I start by saying that the cleavage between the two main political parties seems to have deepened a lot. Perhaps, the slim majority of the ruling Government in Parliament could be the reason for this. Despite the divergence in opinion between us, the open scuffles that happened on the House floor were regrettable. Parliament is a House for debate and not a place to trade blows.

One expects that honourable members would at all times explore and exhaust all avenues available to them in seeking redress and not to resort to violence.

Ghanaians, in their wisdom, decided in the December 2020 elections to retain the Nana Addo government. The victory was achieved mainly on account of the successful implementation of many of the flagships during the first term, which are positively impacting people’s lives. These include; the free SHS, restoration of Nurses and Teacher training allowance, giving jobs to graduates through NABCO, 1D1F, Planting for food and jobs, restoring fiscal rectitude and confidence in the Ghanaian economy.

However, Ghanaians decided to change the dynamics of Parliament by reducing the absolute majority the NPP obtained in 2016. This unfortunate development has affected the conduct of government business greatly. As a first-time MP, I have been perturbed about the partisan nature that government business gets conducted in Parliament. It appears that the defining principle of “Ghana First” has lost on some of my compatriots who only pursue their “party interest.” The development is particularly unfortunate given the role Parliament plays in advancing democratic governance, economic development and national security.

Certainly, the House appear not to be directing its diverse technical prowess toward serving the interest of the Ghanaians who have given us the opportunity to serve them in the august House of Parliament.

I will chronicle a few of the happenings in the House which are adversely affecting the Government’s ability to pursue swift fiscal consolidation and re-anchor the economy on the path of sustainable growth and debt. Indeed, in June 2021, when Fitch Ratings raised misgivings about the impact that the lack of a clear majority of NPP in Parliament could have on government business… “Moreover, in our view [Fitch] the lack of a clear majority in parliament following the December 2020 elections increases the risk of fiscal slippages,” many of us were unsure about what Fitch meant by that statement. It appears that Parliament’s handling of government business so far is vindicating this assertion. Need I say that Ghana’s credit rating outlook was downgraded because of this fear, among others, in 2021.
Already, the economy picked up steam with a projected average growth of 5.3 percent for the three-quarters of 2021. The sterling Q3-2021 GDP of 6.6 percent gives us confidence that the end 2021 GDP will surpass the projected 4.4 percent. This expected growth is much higher than the anticipated growth of 3.7 percent forecasted for Sub-Sahara Africa for 2021. We saw a decline in debt accumulation from 35 percent in 2022 to 18 percent in 2021. The depreciation of 4.09 percent of the cedi to the dollar is still among the lowest depreciation seen in the past decade. International reserve climb to US$9.9 billion as at 28th January 2022 from US$9.7 billion (4 months of import cover). Non-Performing Loans plummeted from 17.3 percent in August 2021 to 15.2 percent at end December 2021.
On COVID-19, despite the swifter rebound in growth in 2021 because of the concrete measures instituted by Government on vaccination, testing, and Flexi work environment, the pandemic continued to have a debilitating effect on the economy. The prudent economic management coupled with a strong commitment to fiscal consolidation played a role in withering the pandemic’s impact on the economy. The different variety of COVID-19 virus, including the deadly delta strain and Omicron, were all detected in Ghana, with the airport as the main conduit for the virus coming to Ghana. Robust and stringent testing regimes at the airport helped identify and contain most cases from getting into the country. The total cases reported at the end of December 2021 were 142,986, with 131,473 recoveries, 1,295 deaths, and active cases of 10,218. The total vaccine dose administered for the same period was more than 5.0 million. Ghana’s performance in jab administration has been one of the best in the sub-region.

The sterling 2021 performance could be hit with hiatus if Parliament continues to stampede Government’s good intentions. In this regard, I like to request my colleague Honourable Members of the different aisle of the House to live above their partisan interest and put the Nation first and support its passage. Not only will the e-levy help grow Ghana’s tax revenue to GDP closer to its peers, but it will signal to that investor community of the Government’s seriousness to growing revenue to support fiscal consolidation. This will complement the recently announced 20 percent expenditure cuts and fast-track the consolidation, the return to 5 percent fiscal deficit and positive primary balance.

It will also enable the Government to provide critical investments to support entrepreneurship, youth employment, cyber security, digital and road infrastructure, among others.” The remaining portion is expected to be used to support the budget implementation. The benefits of the levy will be felt across the length and breadth of the country. Every Member of Parliament will feel the levy’s impact on their constituency when it’s approved. Government will apply the proceeds to the levy to their intended purpose and shall account to Ghanaians periodically. Already, Government has been extremely transparent on all matters relating to the levy. The least MP’s can do is to support this important revenue measure by passing the bill in earnest. Delays in the passage of the bill could affect government business.

Parliament may not be able to extricate and absolve itself from blame when the economy takes a nosedive for the non-passage of critical bills, including the e-levy.
Parliament must not jettison its constitutionally mandated duties and become a tool for disrupting government business. The Noble House of Parliament must live beyond partisanship and above reproach. We have a sacred duty to the good people of Ghana, and we must be seen to be upholding the interest of Ghanaians at all times.