The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga has called for a balance between support and accountability within the political class.
While urging politicians to stand by each other, he stressed that this should never come at the expense of holding one another accountable, warning that failing to do so could undermine the integrity of Ghana’s democracy.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, he said, “The political class must take care of each other,” but he quickly emphasised that this should not mean avoiding accountability.
“Taking care of each other means that we should not avoid holding each other accountable,” he explained.
He went on to warn that it would be a serious threat to Ghana’s democracy if the political class are allowed to protect each other at the expense of transparency and accountability.
“I have always contended that it would be the most dangerous thing to happen to the democracy of this country if a certain group called the political class were allowed to conspire to protect one another,” he said.
He continued, “What will happen, Mr Speaker, is that members of this so-called political class might call on each other not to hold one another accountable.”
He stressed that this would undermine the very principles of democracy, where political leaders must be scrutinised and held responsible for their actions.
He further explained that voters choose one political party over another with the expectation that the elected officials will hold the outgoing government accountable.
“The reason voters choose one political party over another is so that they can hold those in power accountable for their actions,” he said. “The day we stop holding each other accountable will be the day the electorate loses confidence in our democracy. And if they lose confidence in this democracy, that will mark the end of democracy in Ghana.”
He also underscored that accountability must be upheld, particularly when a new party assumes power.
“When we vote for a new party and it comes into power, they owe a duty to those who voted for them to hold those who have been removed from office accountable. As to how this is done, it should be a matter of following due process and the law.”
“Without accountability, the foundation of democratic governance is at risk, and as pointed out, the consequences could be disastrous for the country’s future,” he concluded.
He was speaking on the floor of Parliament when members of the house shared their opinions about the reported raiding of the home of the former Finance minister by some persons, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s subsequent declaration of Mr Ken Ofori-Atta as a fugitive.
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