Franklin Cudjoe Labels Parliamentary Deadlock a ‘Comedy of Errors’; Highlights Protective Effect of Impasse on Ghanaian Livelihoods
Franklin Cudjoe, the founding President of IMANI Africa, has characterized the current standoff between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucuses in Parliament as a “comedy of errors.”
According to Mr. Cudjoe, while the impasse has stalled parliamentary sittings and delayed the passage of critical bills, it has paradoxically shielded Ghanaians from legislation with potentially harmful consequences on livelihoods, properties, and liberties.
“I categorize what is happening in Parliament as a comedy of errors really, one political philosopher, said that no man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session. And what that means is that any time the legislature of a country does not sit, they are not pushing bills that have consequences on their livelihoods, on your person, and your ability to probably make a living.
“And so somehow when Parliament is actually in session, your life, liberty, and property are not safe because either way, whatever they come up with will be taxing things you own anyway, and you have to pay for the argument they make in Parliament,” he said.
Speaking during the NorvanReports and Economic Governance Platform (EGP) X Space discussion titled “Ghana’s Parliamentary Impasse: Impact on The Economy and Business Community,” Mr Cudjoe asserted that the deadlock has, thus far, had no detrimental effect on the economy.
“There’s no economic impact from the current impasse, the best economic impact is that your money will be saved, at least some GHS 500 million will be saved from some of the bills that are being passed themselves,” he stated emphasizing that the absence of new legislation has due to the standoff in some ways, has safeguarded the public from economic disruptions that could arise from hurried or contentious policy decisions.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) has expressed grave concerns over the persistent impasse in Ghana’s Parliament, which has led to two indefinite adjournments, severely hampering the institution’s ability to address pressing national issues.
PNAfrica contends that this ongoing stalemate is a disservice to the public and a significant misuse of national resources.
As the central forum for Ghana’s democratic discourse, Parliament’s inability to resolve its internal differences has cast a shadow on its effectiveness.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin, and leaders of both the NPP and NDC Caucuses have been urged by PNAfrica to put aside partisan interests to facilitate uninterrupted parliamentary functions.
The impasse, spanning from the initial adjournment on October 22 to the latest on November 7, has impeded the legislative agenda, posing a financial strain on the public, particularly as sessions are held in rented venues due to ongoing renovations.
This added cost to the public purse, PNAfrica argues, is an avoidable burden at a time when fiscal prudence is paramount.
