According to the First Deputy Minority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, the upcoming primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) could have significant implications for Ghana’s Parliament.
With 18 incumbent NPP MPs opting not to seek re-election, the loss of institutional memory and expertise poses a serious challenge.
Ahmed Ibrahim expressed concern about the trend of losing experienced lawmakers in Parliament.
Comparing the NPP situation to the recent NDC primaries, where 18 MPs were also ousted, he highlighted the impact of the departure of such experienced MPs, including Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, a veteran politician trained by the legendary JH Mensah. He believes that this could affect Parliament’s capacity.
Ibrahim argued that the government’s underutilization of experienced MPs contributes to their decision to leave. He cited examples like Joe Ghartey and Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, who he believes have wasted potential and lack meaningful roles within the government.
He urged the government to take proactive steps to retain experienced MPs and tap into their expertise. Ibrahim emphasized the importance of recognizing their contributions and offering them roles that utilize their skills and knowledge.
He believes that it is crucial to retain the institutional memory and expertise of the exiting MPs, which is vital for Parliament’s functioning.
