In Ghana, the election of the Speaker of Parliament is a constitutional responsibility that lies firmly in the hands of the Members of Parliament (MPs).

As the head of the Legislature and second in line within the state’s hierarchy, the Speaker plays a crucial role in ensuring the proper functioning of Parliament.

However, in recent years, there has been increasing concern over the growing influence of the executive in the selection process, a development that some view as a threat to the independence of the legislature.

Prof. Kwasi Prempeh, the Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), recently voiced his concerns over this issue in a Facebook post. According to Prof. Prempeh, the election of the Speaker is a responsibility that should remain strictly within the purview of MPs, carried out through a secret ballot.

He stated, “What is worth doing is worth doing properly,” emphasizing that the process should be free from external interference, including from the President, whose interest in the Speaker’s election should not reinforce the subordination of the Legislature to the Executive.

READ ALSO: Mahama nominates Alban Bagbin as Speaker of the 9th Parliament

Prof. Prempeh’s concerns stem from a broader issue that has been a recurring theme in Ghanaian politics—the rise of an “Imperial Presidency.”

This refers to the increasing dominance of the Executive over other branches of government, including Parliament. He remarked, “This is one of the legacies of our Imperial Presidency that further subordinates the Legislature to the Executive.”

The idea behind this statement is that when the Executive gains too much influence over parliamentary decisions, it undermines the autonomy of the Legislature, which is essential for maintaining a balance of power in a democracy. In this context, the election of the Speaker becomes a symbol of the wider struggle for legislative independence in Ghana.

Despite these concerns, there has been some positive movement in the Parliament, with the re-election of Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin as Speaker of the 8th Parliament.

Bagbin secured the support of the Majority Party in the incoming Parliament for his re-election as Speaker of the 9th Parliament.

This was seen as a victory for parliamentary autonomy and a sign that the balance of power between the Executive and the Legislature could still be maintained.

His re-election was welcomed by many, with Bagbin himself expressing his gratitude for the trust placed in him, saying, “I congratulate the Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, Speaker of the 8th Parliament, on securing the support of the Majority Party in the incoming Parliament for re-election as Speaker of the 9th Parliament of the Republic of Ghana.”

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