Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has called for structural reforms in Ghana’s Parliament, insisting that the Speaker should be a sitting member of Parliament.
Speaking on JoyNews AM on 16 February, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noted that Ghana is unique in Africa for having a Speaker who is not an MP.
“Ghana’s Parliament, in Africa, I think, is the only one whose Speaker is not a member of Parliament. A few things ought to be set right,” he said.
He warned that a Speaker who is not part of Parliament risks being detached from legislative duties and may pursue personal interests rather than focus on parliamentary development.
“Oftentimes, it may be self-serving, and it may not really contribute to developing Parliament. And I think it’s not the best for us,” he added.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu acknowledged that the arrangement was inherited at independence but said the time has come for serious introspection.
“I don’t know from where we inherited this. At the time of independence, it was bequeathed to us. But now the time has arrived to reconsider it,” he said.
He further revealed that he had discussed the matter with the Constitutional Review Committee, urging them to amend the law.
“I spoke to the Constitutional Review Committee on this, urging that they should change it. I think the time has arrived. Let’s make that bold decision,” he said.
