Who's Who? Influence in Ghana's new National Assembly
In the new dispensation, nine individuals hold significant influence:
Speaker - Alban Bagbin (NDC)
Dep. Speaker - Joe Osei Owusu (NPP)
Dep Speaker - Andrews Asamoah (Independent)
Parliamentary Leader - Osei Mensah Bonsu (NPP)
Parliamentary Leader - Haruna Iddrisu (NDC)
Dep. Parliamentary Leader - Alex Afenyo-Markin (NPP)
Dep. Parliamentary Leader - James Klutse Avedzi (NDC)
NPP General Secretary - John Boadu
NDC General Secretary - Asiedu Nketiah
Significance - Public financial management
Although the December 2020 election results are still in dispute in a number of constituencies, the influence of these individuals in parliamentary business going forwards looks clear. Particularly noteworthy is the election of a member of the opposition as speaker in the house and an independent candidate as deputy speaker. The last point is the product of an agreement brokered by the rival parties’ general secretaries Asiedu Nketiah and John Boadu - roles one would not normally expect them to play openly.
Ghana is the second largest economy in West Africa and has consistently been among the fastest growing countries in the region in recent decades. However, public financial management has been a consistent Achilles’ heel. Improving parliamentary oversight is one avenue by which this could be addressed going forwards. This is even more important in 2021 given the significant expansion of the fiscal deficit and public debt that has taken place, partly but far from exclusively due to the global pandemic. Please see: Ghana’s Hung Parliament.
Outlook - Scrutiny and cooperation
In a best-case scenario, Ghana’s new evenly-balanced parliament and the deputy speaker agreement struck in recent days will give rise to improved parliamentary scrutiny and cooperation. The above nine individuals will have significant roles to play shaping the course the country takes.