ACEPA: Walkouts as a tactic for the minority caucus will fail

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The African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) has questioned the effectiveness of walkouts as a political strategy for the Minority caucus in Ghana’s Parliament.

 

Dr. Rasheed Draman, the Executive Director of ACEPA, shared his insights during an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Saturday, January 25. He highlighted how the dynamics of the current and previous Parliaments affect the impact of such tactics.

 

Dr. Draman analyzed the historical use of walkouts in Ghana’s Parliament, discussing their strategic advantages, limitations, and the contrasting challenges faced by the NPP in the 9th Parliament compared to the NDC in the 8th Parliament.

 

Reflecting on the 8th Parliament, Dr. Draman noted that the NDC Minority was in a stronger position to influence government business due to the close numerical balance in the House. However, he observed that the NDC did not fully utilize this advantage.

 

“For four years, we didn’t see the NDC, and in fact, they were well-positioned because they could hold government business to ransom in the 8th Parliament than the NPP can do in this Parliament, but we didn’t see any of that. And one will ask, was that a weak strategy on their [NDC’s] part, that they didn’t speak for the same issues that are being spoken by the NPP?” Dr. Draman remarked.

 

He further explained that the current NPP Minority in the 9th Parliament faces greater challenges due to their significantly reduced numbers. The NDC holds over 180 seats compared to the NPP’s 88, leaving the NPP with limited influence to disrupt proceedings or compel concessions.

 

“Given the numbers that they [the NPP] have, I believe that they have lined up a number of strategies because a walkout in this Parliament is not going to achieve very much because quorum could still be formed without them,” Dr. Draman added.

 

Walkouts have traditionally been a tool for opposition parties to express dissatisfaction, boycott debates, or draw attention to perceived injustices. However, as Dr. Draman emphasized, the effectiveness of such strategies depends on the numerical balance in Parliament and the willingness of the Majority to engage with the Minority constructively.

 

He suggested that both the Minority and Majority should explore alternative strategies that foster dialogue and cooperation, as walkouts may not yield meaningful results in the current parliamentary setup.

 

 

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