The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, has expressed grave concern over the growing apathy of Ghanaians towards their civic duties, describing them as “spectators” rather than active “citizens” in the country’s democratic process.
His comments come at a time when the political climate is charged with debates on the recent power struggle between the judiciary and the executive, particularly in relation to the vacant seat controversy in Parliament.
In a press statement on November 6, 2024, Speaker Bagbin called for Ghanaians to embrace their role as active participants in the nation’s governance, echoing the words of President Nana Akufo-Addo in his inaugural speech, where he urged the citizenry to move beyond mere observation and engage in shaping the country’s future.
“Today, Ghanaians are more spectators than citizens,” Bagbin remarked.
“You have to wake up and become the citizens that the president called us to be,” he added, emphasizing that the responsibility of governance should not lie solely with the leaders but should also involve active citizen engagement.
He further argued that the leadership crisis in the country, particularly in the context of the judiciary’s overreach into Parliament’s authority, could be partially attributed to the lack of public involvement.
However, Speaker Bagbin’s comments resonate with the ongoing controversy surrounding the vacant parliamentary seats, where the Speaker’s authority has been challenged by both the executive and judiciary, raising questions about the balance of power among the branches of government.
The Speaker, who has been at the centre of the legal and political battle over the vacant seats, highlighted the detrimental impact of the current uncertainty in governance, particularly in terms of investor confidence and national development.
He pointed out that foreign investors have long expressed concerns about the unpredictability of Ghana’s legal and political landscape.
For Bagbin, the solution lies in Ghanaians waking up from their passive stance and embracing their role as citizens, not just bystanders.
“We are building a durable, sustainable governance structure that gives certainty to everybody,” he said, reiterating his belief in the importance of the rule of law over the rule by man.