Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament has advised political parties and the electorate to make a conscious effort to retain experienced lawmakers during elections.
“Our ability to retain experienced lawmakers would provide the vehicle for the transfer of experience, knowledge and wisdom to newly elected members,” he added.
This, the Longest serving member of parliament for Nadowli west claims will help to maintain the knowledgeable and experienced law makers in parliament.
“Otherwise, we risk the scary situation of having our Parliament taken over by people with fat wallets, money bags and who may not have what it takes to expand the frontiers of our democracy”.
Speaking at Ninth Congregation of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Mr Bagbin stated that “one requires time and effort to learn and grasp the practices and procedures of Parliament.
At the Congregation, an honorary doctorate degree was conferred on him, Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs; and Dr Nii Kotei Dzani, Chief Executive Officer of Ideal Group and the Greater Accra Regional Representative on the Council of State.
Mr. Bagbin said the various political parties needed to introspect on the selection process of their parliamentary candidates.
“They are undermining the growth of Parliament and consciously or unconsciously institutionalising corruption.
“We cannot behave like ostriches. As a nation, we shall reap, what we sow,” the Second Deputy Speaker said.
Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin started his parliamentary career in 1993 and has served his seventh successive term I Parliament as the only surviving remaining MP of the pioneer fourth Republican MPs,” he said.
Mr Bagbin: “The Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, your Institution, scanning Parliament, settled on the two of us, A. S. K. Bagbin and Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu. The two of us are not instant products.”
Mr Bagbin noted: “Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is into his 21st year, his sixth successive as a Member of Parliament. Coincidentally, he is the only of the NPP pioneer group that first entered Parliament in 1997.”
“There is something in experience in Parliament,” he said.
Mr Bagbin, on behalf of his colleagues awardees expressed gratitude to the Management and Staff of the UPSA for the honour done them.
He said the award would go a long way to motivate them to do more for mother Ghana.
Source: otecfmghana.com
