By Francis Kobena Tandoh
First Deputy Minority Whip in Parliament, Habib Iddrisu, on Wednesday condemned President John Dramani Mahama for directing the Majority Leadership to withdraw their Private Members’ Bill seeking to scrap the Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP).
According to the Minority Whip, the move amounted to interference in parliamentary affairs by the executive arm of government.
Hon. Iddrisu insisted that the President has no constitutional power to tell Parliament what to do or “dictate” its business, especially regarding private members’ bills.
He argued Mahama’s intervention threatens the principle of Separation of Powers (SOP) and represents an attempt by the executive to control the legislature’s work.
According to Iddrisu, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, and Chief Whip, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, were within parliamentary procedure when they introduced the bill and should not be pressured to withdraw it solely based on the President’s directive.
President Mahama formally asked the Majority Leader and Majority Chief Whip to withdraw a Private Members’ Bill that sought to repeal the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Act.
The bill aimed to abolish the OSP and return full prosecutorial authority in corruption cases to the Attorney-General’s office.
Mahama’s request followed his public endorsement of the OSP as a key anti-corruption institution and his view that strengthening it was crucial for governance and accountability.
The debate reflects deeper tensions in Ghanaian politics over the balance of power between the executive and Parliament.
Private members’ bills are typically championed by individual MPs or their party caucus, and executives urging withdrawal can be seen by opponents as encroaching on legislative autonomy.
Critics of the repeal bill, including Mahama, argue the OSP is essential to anti-corruption efforts. Supporters of the bill argue the institution has faced operational challenges and overlaps with the Attorney-General’s office. End item
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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