In the immediate aftermath of the December 7 polls, several constituency collation centres nationwide descended into disorder. From issues of inconsistent figures in polling station data to accusations of intimidation, uncertainty swept across our much-touted beacon of democracy.
The constituency collation centres which the Electoral Commission had eloquently explained would be the coordination point for all polling stations within the constituency had become anything but the expectation. Indeed, they had turned into a wrestling ring for punches and disorder.
Candidates and their allies alike resorted to violence to prevail in an uncertain environment where the loudest and most uncompromising had the upper hand.
Eventually, results were declared and re-declared amidst legal challenges.
More than two months after these horrific scenes at the polling stations, there is yet to be a campaign advocating for an investigation into the mayhem and hooliganism that threatened our democracy post-election season.
It was therefore unsurprising that the scenes we witnessed last Thursday evening were a carbon copy of how the constituency collation tussles occurred.
Dangerously, our fellow citizens appear to be warming up to the idea that violence can be justifiable if it fosters their cause. The Minority, realizing that they were not going to prevail over the supermajority National Democratic Congress, derailed the vetting with loud utterances and dramatic postures of dissent.
In fact, the Minority Whip reportedly encouraged colleagues to dismantle the table set-up in the conference room to prevent the vetting from proceeding.
Ironically, this same Honourable Member of Parliament had reported the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle to Speaker Alban Bagbin over unpalatable comments she had made about him two days earlier.
Unfortunately, the MP’s actions did little to curry public favour against the lawyer’s unacceptable comments.
Newly appointed Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga immediately addressed the media and colleagues after the parliamentary fisticuffs, apologizing for the unsavory scenes and describing Ghana’s Parliament as an envy of the rest of the world.
No Mr. Leader, this is not an enviable position. When our legislators fail to negotiate challenges leading to an all-out brawl, that is not envious. It is pathetic. To understand the business of the House is to appreciate team work, compromise and getting everyone looped in. That tragically failed at a committee consisting of leaders of both sides of the aisle.
The consequences of this parliamentary wresting could not be understated.
As believers in our nation’s democracy, we believe that the altercations and shouting match on that fateful evening threatens the experiment. When MPs create the impression that disorder can be justified, it creates room for troublemakers to tear down the system if they don’t have their way.
Another consequence of the parliamentary wrestling is the erosion of public trust. Whether on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party or National Democratic Congress, Ghanaians believe that parliamentarians have been voted for, to discern and approve policies that will make our lives better.
If Parliament continues to be a boxing avenue, we won’t only be disappointed, heart broken.
A repercussion that cannot be overlooked as a result of parliamentarians’ misconduct is the financial cost to the state. It has been widely reported that some assets in Parliament were vandalised amid the chaos.
Although the speaker has made clear that MPs involved in the violence in Parliament would pay for the damages, we cannot say for certain that names will be put forward after an investigation. Unfortunately, the bar remains low.
Now we find ourselves in a situation where we have to allocate state funds for the replacement of damaged equipments. These resources would have been put to better use if they went into developmental projects.
Ghana’s reputation for peace is not disputed but if we don’t address the rising chaos in the legislature, we fear the example it sets for the next generation.
By: Mitchell Asare Amoamah and Francisca Nanaba Amoako
