Hon. Zuwera Ibrahimah, Member of Parliament for Salaga South, holds the view that the 8th Parliament will go down in the history of parliamentary democracy as one of the best the country has had.
According to her, the hung Parliament wasn’t a bad experience; rather, it helped shape Parliamentarians.
She explains that the hung parliament gave legislators to opportunity to learn and learn at a faster pace, adding that they did their bit to contribute to the national discourse.
Hon. Zuwera Ibrahimah made this known while speaking in an interview on Accra-based Woezor Television.
“I wouldn’t say it was an entirely bad experience. I will say it helped shape who we’ve become today, and it helped shape our parliament. I doubt if we will ever have another hung parliament, but the 8th Parliament will go down in the history of parliamentary democracy of Ghana as one of the best parliaments that we have had”.
She continued, “We learned, and we applied ourselves. It helped sharpen our advocacy skills.”
With an even split of 137 seats for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the balance of power was from an independent MP, Andrew Asiamah Amoako of the Fomena Constituency.
This unique arrangement set the stage for dramatic events, beginning with the chaotic election of the Speaker of Parliament. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, a veteran NDC politician.
The Speaker’s election saw MPs physically clashing, ballot box snatching, and a military intervention in the Chamber. Bagbin’s tenure as Speaker became a defining feature of the 8th Parliament, with his assertive style often challenging the Executive’s authority.
