The Suame Member of Parliament (MP) told the Appointments Committee of Parliament Friday that a Ministry for Parliamentary Affairs is an integral part of government.
“Yes, it is absolutely important to have a Ministry for Parliamentary Affairs”, he said, in response to a question posed by MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga.
He explained that the structure of the government machinery makes it imperative to have a minister who will be in a position advance the cause of government while in Parliament where most government businesses are conducted.
“The activities that are conducted in Parliament, especially in our part of the world, are 95% of public business is government business. Now you require to have the leader of government business to have an understanding of government business in order for him to able to persuade and convince his colleagues that, this is a good policy that must be supported by Parliament”, he explained.
He added that the candidate best fit for such a position is one who sits in cabinet yet leads government business on the floor of Parliament. According to him, it is a job which requires a good understanding of government business.
“And so, it is the reason why you need a minister who will be a minister for Parliamentary Affairs, who will be in Parliament where policy evolves to be able to understand himself the underpinnings of any policy or programme so that when he comes to parliament where he would lead the business, he will then be able to understand and have a buy-in from his colleagues and compatriots”, he added.
If approved, this will be the second term he will be serving under the Akufo-Addo-led government as Minister for Parliamentary Affairs.
By P.D Wedam|3news.com|Ghana