Backbenchers Committee Will Work to Enhance Parliamentary Democracy – Chairman
Joseph Appiah Boateng, Chairman of the newly constituted Committee on Back Benchers Business of Parliament, has assured that the committee will work hard to enhance the parliamentary democracy that Ghanaians yearn for.
According to Boateng, although parliament is inherently political, the Committee on Back Benchers Business will operate devoid of politics to ensure the entire house, especially its leadership, focuses on the needs of constituents rather than political party agendas.
Boateng, who is a lawmaker for Afram Plains South in the Eastern Region, made these remarks during an interview with EXPRESSNEWSGHANA, in parliament on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Accra.
He noted that although the committee has only a few months left in the eighth parliament, it is committed to safeguarding Ghana’s parliamentary democracy.
To ensure effective oversight, Boateng, also known as “JAB 1,” stated that the committee would work closely with the house’s leadership, particularly the Majority and Minority leaders, as well as other committee leaders.
As part of the committee members’ capacity-building efforts, the Speaker has approved visits to other parliaments outside Africa to learn best practices. Boateng mentioned that they would be visiting parliaments in the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries where such committees have existed for years and have established best practices.
“It is the first time we have this kind of committee in our parliament. I happened to be the first selected Chairman of the committee. So we will be embarking on visits to parliaments like the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and other parliaments where this committee has existed for years and has practiced them,” Hon. Appiah Boateng stated.
Boateng emphasized that the Committee on Back Benchers Business is stronger than any other parliamentary committee and requires cooperation from the house’s leadership and members to conduct its business smoothly.
He promised to discharge his duties as Chairman without extreme political bias, either in favor of or against any member’s interests.
The Backbench Business Committee comprises members in their first, second, and third terms in parliament, providing opportunities for committee members to bring forward debates of their choice. It is one of the new committees established by the Parliament of Ghana under the Fourth Republic’s new Standing Orders.
The most important role of a backbencher is that of a constituency representative, where constituents rely heavily on their MPs to represent them in parliament and ensure their concerns are heard, regardless of whether they voted for the MP.
The committee is responsible for determining the business before the House on behalf of backbench members (i.e., members who are not in leadership and not Ministers of State) for approximately one day each week. Backbenchers play an important role in Parliament, representing their constituents and parties, and shaping public policy.
There is no standard ‘job description’ for all backbenchers, as each has their own priorities, responsibilities, and political relationships.
Despite these variations, key duties include sitting on committees, championing local interests, making recommendations to ministers, contributing to parliamentary debates, facilitating communication between stakeholders, and participating in party activities. Both the majority and minority extensively use backbench party committees to review legislative proposals and government policy.
Other members of the committee include Cletus Seidu Dapilah, Vice Chairman; Alexander Agyare, Ranking Member; and Abdul-Razak Tahidu, Deputy Ranking Member.
Additional members are Joseph Betino, Nicholas Amankwah, Richard Kwami Sefe, Thomas Adda Dalu, Sophia Ackuaku, Anthony Mwinkaara Sumah, Bukari Dawuni, Alhassan Abdallah Iddi, Mohammed Amin Adam, John Benam Jabaah, Dakoa Newman, Yaw Frimpong Addo, and Thomas Mbomba.
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Source: Felix Nyaaba // expressnewsghana.com
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