Flag bearer of the Progressive People’s Party, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom has condemned the status quo where both the General Secretary and Chairman of a governing party sit and participate in cabinet meetings.
In his assessment, their involvements over the years have bad influence on such crucial meetings.
Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom was speaking to TV3’s New Day on a wide range of issues on Monday.
It is on record that the General Secretary of National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, and party Chairman Kofi Portuphy have been attending cabinet meetings where critical national decisions are taken.
The practice has been explained that because the party worked and brought the government into power, decisions of the latter should be of great concern to the party; perhaps that is why the government has to be given a close marking by the party.
But the PPP flag bearer is determined to stop his party’s General Secretary and Chairman from attending cabinet meetings.
“There is something happening, and has been happening, which I will stop. Whether it is NDC or NPP they have been bringing their general secretaries and their chairmen to cabinet. It will stop. It will stop.
“Because that doesn’t belong at cabinet; and cabinet we are talking about a nation and not a political party. And some of those people when something comes they will say these ones let’s give to our people, that one let it go to our people.”
MP cum Minister
His disregard for party’s participation in cabinet meetings is due to the lack of proper separation of powers in Ghana’s governance system.
The Constitution allows majority of the executives to be appointed from parliament. This is something Dr. Nduom thinks must cease.
Members of Parliament under his presidency would not be given any ministerial appointment, he indicated.
He explained that the work of a parliamentarian is very important and takes over 100 percent of one’s time same as a minister of state.
Dr. Nduom who served as Energy Minister at the same time as a Member of Parliament recalled how bills and “bad” deals a rushed through parliamentary proceedings for approval, which is often done in the last days when parliament is about to rise.
He cited the CNTC loan and the STX Korea housing deal under the Kufuor and Atta Mills administrations respectively.
“The influence of the executive on the legislature,” Dr. Nduom explained, “that is why those things are happening so let’s learn from experience.”
By Isaac Essel | 3news.com | Ghana