The Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has justified the decision for lawmakers to commence sessions by reciting the National Pledge.
He says it has become necessary to inculcate into the people the sense of patriotism and nationalism and the best place to start is the legislature.
“You travel to some places, you go to the US, Canada, UK, Switzerland, Germany, everywhere you go on, they will hoist the national flag but it has not been part of us.
“Even though we believe it is late but better late than never, we must inculcate into ourselves nationalism and patriotism and where else to begin this exercise is the House of the representative of this country so that is why we want to do what we want to do,” he told Johnnie Hughes on the Sunrise show on 3FM Wednesday, February 7.
Parliament took this decision after modifying its Standing Orders.
It is not immediately known why the House adopted this measure. However, the wording of the National Pledge, among others, enjoins citizens to, “… be faithful and loyal to Ghana…to uphold and defend the good name of Ghana.”
Under the modified Standing Orders, independent bodies like the Electoral Commission, the CHRAJ boss, the BoG governor, NCCE, and the Auditor General are going to be questioned similar to ministers.
Deputy Minority Whip in Parliament, Ahmed Ibrahim, explained the modifications.
He said on Tuesday February 6 “Independent bodies like the Electoral Commission, the CHRAJ boss, the BoG governor, NCCE, and the Auditor General are going to be questioned just as we question ministers on the Floor and the mode of answering questions on the Floor has also been provided in the new Standing Orders.
“Previously, if you wanted to invite the EC, they would say he had no audience on the Floor and if the Common Fund administrator needed to come unless the discussion was led by the Minister but this time around, it is not going to be the same.
“The administrator can come and be interrogated by a committee and can be asked questions and he will respond to the questions and the mode of answering the questions has been catered for in the new Standing Orders.”
National Pledge
I promise on my honour to be faithful and loyal to Ghana my Motherland.
I pledge myself to the service of Ghana, with all my strength and with all my heart.
I promise to hold in high esteem our heritage, won for us through the blood and toil of our fathers; and I pledge myself in all things to uphold and defend the good name of Ghana.
So help me God.