Wednesday, 22nd October, 2025
Hon Charles Forson
Tema Central
Mr Speaker, thank you. I rise in my capacity as Chairman of the Committee on the Backbenchers’ Business to make the Statement in respect of the one-hour slot provided under Order 73 of our Standing Orders for the concentration on Backbenchers’ Business on the last Wednesday of every month.
Mr Speaker, the inclusion of the Backbenchers’ Time in our Standing Orders represents a significant milestone in strengthening parliamentary democracy and promoting inclusiveness in our deliberations. It acknowledges that Members of Parliament who are Backbenchers can shape the national discourse by bringing forward matters of public interest, constituency concern and all legislative importance for debate in this honourable House. As the British political scientist Philip Cowell rightly said, “allowing backbenchers some influence at Westminster is more than just when they speak; it is also getting the topics they want on the agenda when they want them on the agenda.” This insight underscores the very essence of the concept of Backbenchers’ Business in our Standing Orders.
Mr Speaker, it is not merely about offering Backbenchers an opportunity to speak, but also empowering them to shape the parliamentary agenda, ensuring that voices, priorities and realities of constituents across the country find deliberate space in the Business of the House. Mr Speaker, the Committee on Backbenchers’ Business was established to facilitate the process by determining the business of backbenchers for each Meeting, proposing the Business for backbenchers’ time and the order in which the Business shall be taken, and in consultation with the Business Committee, present to the House for consideration a Statement on Backbenchers’ Business. Although the Committee is yet to fully operationalise its mandate, the Committee has been laying the groundwork to activate this important provision. Preparatory work is ongoing to establish the structures and modalities that will enable meaningful participation by all Members in Backbenchers’ Business.
Mr Speaker, given the nature of the parliamentary calendar before us, the Committee recognises that opportunities to schedule Backbenchers’ Business this year are limited. However, the Committee is exploring the possibility of using October and November to pilot two backbench debates, in consultation with Leadership and the Business Committee. This will serve as an important step towards demonstrating how Backbenchers’ Business can enrich our deliberations, reflect public priorities and deepen the culture of inclusive decision-making. The Committee will, in the meantime, continue to develop its operational roadmap and visibility strategy under the theme, “Backbench Matters”, to guide its full activation in the next Session.
Mr Speaker, the Committee therefore encourages all Backbenchers to prepare and submit proposals for possible consideration as Backbenchers’ Business in upcoming Sittings. In doing so, we will be affirming Parliament’s commitment to inclusivity, deliberation and the strengthening of democratic governance. Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I wish to assure this House that the Committee on Backbenchers’ Business remains committed to delivering on its mandate. We look forward to working collaboratively with Leadership and all Members to make Backbench Business a vibrant, meaningful, impactful and respected part of our parliamentary practice.
Mr Speaker, I once again thank you.
Hon Abdul Kabiru Tiah Mahama
Walewale
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
The Chairman of the Committee on Backbenchers’ Business, a newly established Committee of Parliament brings to the fore certain important matters that are not just affecting the Backbenchers but also the aura of this whole House.
Mr Speaker, a House that has many Backbenchers or many first timers, the use of the word, “Backbenchers” has always been associated with timidity, newness and lack of competence. It is so unfortunate to note that the Hon Member for Mion and Nanton nearly lost their seats by way of by-election when they reported that they were members of the Committee on Backbenchers’ Business because it brought a lot of public debate in the Northern Region that their Members, for the first time in Parliament, were not given any Committee but were made members of the Committee on Backbenchers’ Business.
Mr Speaker, it is the perception of the people outside the House that the Committee on Backbenchers’ Business is meant for people who do not have the capacity to participate in debate which is far from the truth. We will need to rebrand this Committee on Backbenchers’ Business and that is essentially what the leader of the Committee is doing.
Mr Speaker, there are important issues that we need to face. The time allocated for Backbenchers should not just be that time, but Backbenchers should make conscious effort to catch the eye of the Speaker. For instance, the Hon Member for Binduri is at the far end and without conscious effort, you will not recognise him. The newly-elected Member for Tamale Central, Prof Alidu Seidu, is behind the pillar and without conscious effort, you will not recognise him. The new Member for Akwatia— Our Colleague, Ernest, was even better because he was sitting right behind me but Prof Seidu is sitting right behind the pillar so, without conscious effort, you will not recognise him. Mr Speaker, there is a need for there to be conscious effort in recognising Backbenchers.
Mr Speaker, I corrected that by saying behind the pillar. [Laughter] As a matter of fact, he is within the walls of Parliament, but he is sitting behind the pillar. So, thank you very much for that. I thought that was what Hon Bedzrah wanted to correct.
Mr Speaker, the time allocated for Backbenchers or the Business of Backbenchers must be resourced for the Backbenchers to be able to contribute meaningfully to the debate of this House. There is a lot of capacity. The newcomers of this House have so much fire in their bellies, capacity and talent they would want to unleash. But without opportunity given to them, they will not be able to show to the good people of Ghana what they have in store. So, I am just urging this House that the Statement read by the Leader of the Backbenchers Committee should be taken seriously and consequential direction be made so that that Committee to be established, that secretariat, would be engaging regularly. For instance, we can organise orientation for our newcomers, our juniors who have just come. And that secretariat has to be resourced to be able to do the work as expected.
Mr Speaker, with these few words, I want to thank the Leader of the Backbenchers for the brilliant Statement and to say that the perception that Backbenchers are associated with incompetence, that my Hon Colleague from Mion went through, be done away with. They are very capable Members of Parliament, Mr Speaker. Thank you.
Hon Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah
Ho West
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Let me commend the Chairperson of the Backbencher’s Caucus who made a Statement on behalf of the Members of the Backbenchers and also for the fact that this Parliament has established a caucus called the Backbenchers’ Caucus.
Mr Speaker, this is for an illustration and for education of the public. Order 6 of our Standing Orders states that: “Backbencher means a Member who has served not more than two Parliamentary terms and is not a Minister of State, part of Leadership of the House or Leadership of a Committee except the Chairperson or Ranking Member of the Backbenchers’ Committee.”
Mr Speaker, clearly, it is not for first timers. The Backbench is for those who have even served more than once and are here for the second time. They are not either with the extended leadership, that is, Chairman, Ranking Members, Deputy or not. One can be here for two terms and still be a Backbencher. Backbencher is a terminology coined; we all read Erskine May. It is simply to identify a group of people as has been identified by this.
Mr Speaker, Order 236 talks about Backbenchers and states clearly:
“(1) The Committee on Backbenchers’ Business comprises a Chairperson, a Ranking Member, a Vice Chairperson, a Deputy Ranking Member who are Backbenchers and not more than thirteen other Backbenchers.
(2) The Committee shall (a) determine the business of Backbenchers for each Meeting;
(b) propose the business for Backbenchers Time and the order in which the business shall be taken; and
(c) in consultation with the Business Committee, present to the House for consideration, a statement on Backbenchers business.”
Clearly, this Parliament has given enough power to Members of the Committee on Backbenchers’ Business. You have time that you can even make Statements. You can bring issues of public interest and that is solely limited to Backbenchers. And those of us who are here for more than three terms will not even have an opportunity to contribute.
Mr Speaker, it should be known to all of us that being a Backbencher is not a sin. It is not derogatory and has nothing to do with anybody at all. It is just like when we also came, we have been here for the first, second, third, fourth and fifth terms and some are here for the sixth term. So, if you are here for the first and second terms, try and join the Backbenchers’ Caucus because it will do you a lot of good.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Hon Isaac Boamah-Nyarko
Effia
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, let me commend the Chairperson of the Committee on Backbenchers’ Business for bringing this issue to the fore.
Mr Speaker, when we came into this House the very first time, we realised that the Standing Orders has given a lot of clarity on the scope of the Committee on Backbenchers’ Business, what it is supposed to do by way of building capacity and training young MPs, and give us the opportunity to express ourselves and contribute positively to the Business of the House.
Mr Speaker, my senior Colleague, Mr Emmanuel Bedzrah, has given some perspective as to the composition of the Committee on Backbenchers’ Business. And if, as he clearly read, we have Backbenchers consisting of first and second timers, then the impression that Backbenchers are solely first timers is to be corrected. And I think he has made that very clear. But more importantly, it is for good reason that the House created what we call the Backbenchers’ Time.
The Backbenchers’ Time, as we read from Order 6 of the Standing Orders says that: “Backbenchers’ Time means a time set aside for Backbenchers to make Statements, present Petitions, move Motions, or initiate Private Member’s Bill.” So clearly, these are some of the things or the opportunities that are given to Backbenchers. My difficulty has been how Leadership, and if I say Leadership, I mean the Leader of Government Business, has not done much in ensuring that the business of Backbenchers is taken into consideration and addressed.
If you look at Order 73, it says that: “The House shall allot one hour on the last Wednesday of a month for the consideration of determined business for Backbenchers.” So clearly, the standing orders have made provision as to when the Backbenchers’ Time is allotted. How many months have we been in this Chamber? That specific last Wednesday time for Backbenchers’ business has not been observed. And it is because reasonably, either the Business of the House is overwhelming, or we have not really seen this provision that is made under this Backbenchers’ Time as an opportunity to build up the capacity and the strength of Backbenchers.
Mr Speaker, I think from this Statement that the Chairperson of the Committee on Backbenchers’ Business has brought to the fore, we are going to look actively at it more closely. As Mr Abdul Kabiru Tiah Mahama has indicated, in this House, we have Leadership, we have senior Members, and we have Backbenchers. So as much as possible, we will be looking forward to the Rt Hon Speaker allowing Backbenchers a little more flexibility. We learn in the course of our engagement in this House. We make mistakes, and then it is on the part of the Rt Hon Speaker and Leadership to guide and build Members from the Backbench, so that reasonably over time, we would all have the ability to do the work and be strong and contribute meaningfully to the Business of this House.
Mr Speaker, in conclusion, it is my hope that the time allotted for Backbenchers as stipulated in our Standing Orders, effective this Third Meeting, would be looked at seriously. We would commit ourselves to it. We would push the Leadership of our Committee to engage the Business Committee to make sure that in the course of every month, at least, the business of Backbenchers is provided for. There is clarity as to what we are going to do on that day, and then we build a better and a stronger Parliament, starting from the Backbench.
With these few words, Mr Speaker, I want to thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement.
Hon Haruna Iddrisu
Tamale South
Mr Speaker, I want to thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement made by Mr Charles Forson, asking for the Backbenchers’ Day.
Mr Speaker, I would like to remind us that all of us entered this House as Backbenchers. Your day of entry is the day you emerged, having been elected as Member of Parliament. Mr Speaker, in Parliamentary Practice, we are told, throughout the world, is based on experience. That is why it is my wish that every Backbencher will have an opportunity to rise through the ranks, through the Middle Bench, even to the Front Bench and to lead. But they can only lead if we give them an opportunity to learn.
However, Mr Speaker, they themselves must be ready to learn. And when we say they must be ready to learn, in particular for Ghana, there are two important things: Is the Member of Parliament familiar with the provisions of the 1992 Constitution? Yes, they must be. If for nothing at all, from Article 106 to 124, every Member of Parliament must keep it in memory. If they are that kind of Member like Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, then they can add the chapters on fundamental human rights and freedoms, because Parliament is the guardian of those rights and freedoms.
In a country where there is rule of law, that would be the most fundamental thing. That is why this House must be worried and concerned, at all times, when the right and freedom of any person is infringed upon, because that is the gravest threat to the practice of democracy. But, Mr Speaker, in discussing Backbenchers’ Day, I am happy your Clerks-at-the-Table are here. This House must improve upon our own practice.
I recall, Mr Speaker, your good self, were in the meeting in Akosombo when we went through a long period from—I should pay respect to the Mr Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Mr Yieleh Chireh, and the rest, when they said that Parliament must change its Standing Orders. I recall, Mr Speaker, in one of the meetings in which you were, I contested, but I was defeated. Today, I am honoured. I kept telling them to declare a Minority Day in the Standing Orders of this House. And that, that day must be solely reserved as a Minority Day, because, Mr Speaker, the best way to enrich democracy is to have the views of the other Side, the opposite Side of the aisle. I recall, Mr Speaker, I had travelled with one of you to the French National Assembly, and the Sri Lankan and Indian Assemblies with Mr Osei Kyei-MensahBonsu, and I even brought a book to this Parliamentary Review Committee. There was a book written by one of the authorities on rules and procedure. And I drew Parliament’s attention that we should declare a Minority Day, a day the Minority can move a Motion.
Mr Speaker, you would again recall that I came here with you after we left school. You remember my popular adumdum adumdum be gyae? It was a Motion. He was here with the Hon Kan Dapaah, Buckman and co. So, Backbenchers Day, Mr Speaker, we need to have a dedicated time for the political opposition to make constructive alternatives, not just commentary. Mr Speaker, I have said it repeatedly that the day the Parliament of Ghana sits right, the Ghanaian people will smile. Because a lot of the wrongs in this country are because Parliament sits and allows it. Why are we having problems with debt? Forgive me, Mr Speaker, but I heard President Nana Addo Dankwa in Brussels lamenting about excessive borrowing and what that exchange has done to him. The darkest hour. How did the dark hour happen? Because the Parliament of Ghana failed to limit and remind him that, yes, he has the powers, but he should not borrow excessively. The Hon Member may disagree. I know he is a special aid, but Mr Speaker, I wholeheartedly support that we give Backbenchers an opportunity.
Then finally, Mr Speaker, my comment, which had you personally concerned. When they bring reports to this Chamber, how many Backbenchers or even Frontbenchers want to read the reports? Please, when they bring reports, do we go through the reports in order to understand what is in the reports? So, Backbenchers must be ready to learn, and to learn is easy; master the Standing Orders. Sometimes, Mr Speaker, when I see Leaders in front shouting, that is not for Leaders to do. If one is a good Leader, one must have those who do that for them. I saw them a while ago talking about LGBTQ and Hon Habib— Interesting times in Ghana. He was in Ghana when Parliament passed the law. Nana Addo Dankwa was in breach of the Constitution, and he did not have the voice—Read Article 106 (7) and (8), he was in breach.
If Parliament gives a Bill to the President, he can decide to give assent or not, and the Constitution provides what he should do. Did he do that? Then they allow it to lapse, and today we are discussing the same matter. I heard the Leader say there was no administrative error, but there was a constitutional error.
The Constitution is elaborate. What does one do? It is not to say that President Akufo-Addo cannot disagree with Parliament. But if he disagrees, he should convey it back to Parliament that he disagrees, and give his reason—We should pass it? I simply would have ended by saying, why did they not pass it? But it will be passed. Thank you.
Hon Samuel Abdulai Jinapor
Damongo
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to this very important subject.
I must confess that when I first had the privilege of coming into this House in 2021, I was also at a loss as to what constitutes a Backbencher. It appears that the framers of our Standing Orders, from Order 1 to 6, with the heading, “Interpretation”, have attempted to define what constitutes a Backbencher.
Mr Speaker, the relevant provisions have been copiously quoted, and I do not intend to repeat. But it is clear that our Parliament equates a Backbencher, from the interpretation, to tenor of office. How many terms has one been in Parliament? Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Education and MP for Tamale South talks about alternative ways of formulating our Standing Orders. And I want to say, Mr Speaker, that part of the problem I believe we have is the very definition of who constitutes a Backbencher.
Mr Speaker, to that end, I will respectfully refer the House to the House of Commons, the Parliament of Great Britain, which is said to be the mother of all Parliaments. Mr Speaker, in 1945, when Prime Minister Winston Churchill lost to the opposition leader, Clement Attlee, he had been in Parliament for several terms. But Prime Minister Winston Churchill, having been booted out of government, moved from the very first Frontbench to the Backbench. He became a Backbencher.
Mr Speaker, Theresa May, I believe, even up till now, is still in the House of Commons. She was a former Prime Minister; she is a Backbencher. Mr Speaker, the leader of the opposition for a long time, Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party, was a Frontbencher like the former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, and many others. When he was no longer the Leader of the Opposition, he became a Backbencher.
Mr Speaker, the problem we have here is that—So, for example, Hon Haruna Iddrisu was in Parliament in 2005. He became Minister for Communication in 2009. By this definition, at the time, he was a Backbencher. Mr Speaker, there are advantages for our system—. Yes, he was. Mr Speaker, I see my big Brother- Mr Speaker, let me read it. I am saying that he came into Parliament in 2005.
In 2009, he was a second-termer. If he were not a Minister in 2009, by this definition, he would be a Backbencher. Mr Speaker, I am saying that by this definition, if he were not a Minister for Communication in 2009, he would be a Backbencher. Mr Speaker, I am guided. But the point I am making is that the contribution from the Minister for Education about learning would have meant that if we were practising the British system, a first-timer could be seated right here behind the pillar and seated by a former Prime Minister, a former Minister or a former ranking member.
Mr Speaker, so there is something in my view, respectfully, anomalous with the definition of Backbencher, which is tied up solely to the term of office— Mr Speaker, if I can conclude. The definition of Backbencher is tied up to the term of office, to leadership and to ministerial portfolio. No, but in Britain, in the House of Commons, Mr Speaker, a Backbencher is tied up to either being a member of the shadow government or being a member of His Majesty’s government. The question about the term of office arises solely on account of who is the father of the House. Term of office does not come in when it comes to being a Backbencher or Frontbencher.
Mr Speaker, being a Frontbencher or a Backbencher is tied up to either being a member of the government or a member of the shadow government. One’s role in government or role in opposition. Mr Speaker, that is why, for example, the 1922 Committee, which is a Backbench Committee, is arguably one of the most powerful committees in the Conservative Party in the House of Commons, which, even in many cases, is capable of toppling the Prime Minister. So, the point is that, yes, the point has been made that we give Backbenchers the opportunity and so on and so forth. But my view is, and I want to conclude on that, and I am not here to question the Standing Orders, but perhaps we should take a cue from the Minister for Education in further interrogating the provisions of this Standing Order.
If we are actually going to be in a position where first-timers or second-timers get the opportunity to contribute and represent fully in this House, we may have to look at the definition of Backbenchers again. And perhaps, take inspiration from the mother of all Parliaments. But Mr Speaker, while I have the opportunity, former President AkufoAddo, never.He never apologised nor said anything to the effect that the debt overhang was something he did as a President or his Government did—What he sought to say— No, he said the former President said something at a conference in Brussels. He said he made the point publicly in Brussels. What the former President said was that, that was his darkest moment but that it was absolutely necessary and further said it is the reason why we are enjoying some relative stability in the macro-economic sector of our country. That is what the former President said. What the Minister of Education said was totally misleading.
Thank you very much Mr Speaker for the opportunity.
Hon John Abdulai Jinapor
Yapei Kusawgu
Mr Speaker, whether Mohammed went to the mountain or the mountain went to Mohammed, at least there are some movements and whether Jonah swallowed the whale or the whale swallowed Jonah, there is a swallow.
Mr Speaker, this is a very interesting topic, and I find it very intriguing. Indeed, listening to my Hon Colleagues, I am very happy and proud to be a Member of this Parliament. It is true that in the British Parliament, tenure of office is not the major determining factor of whether you are a Frontbencher or a Backbencher. But in the British Parliament, the opposition side mirrors the government side because it is a Westminster system. So as much as the person is a minister, that person is a Member of Parliament. That is why you see shadow minister, but here we do not use shadow minister.
Can you imagine placing the Hon Haruna Iddrisu, as experienced as he is, in the Backbench row in Ghana's Parliament? That is why every parliament is shaped by its culture, ethics and practices. So, if we determine that having somebody like the Hon Haruna Iddrisu, having spent all these numbers of years here, he should— Twenty-one years. If you were a lady, you should be getting ready to get married at 21. That is real experience. So, can you imagine putting the Hon Haruna Iddrisu in the category of Backbench? It cannot work. So, I find wisdom in deciding that the tenure of office or one’s years of experience ought to determine where they sit. Even in this Parliament, when we are doing sitting arrangements, one’s years of experience count a lot. I think that we should not discount that at all. I can only relate to Mr Haruna Iddrisu.
When I entered here as a first timer, a lot of people thought I had stayed here for some time. It was because people like Haruna Iddrisu mentored us, and not only mentored us but they gave us the opportunity to speak. For me, that is critical. On very critical matters, if it is for four people, they will pick three Frontbenchers and add a Backbencher. He would sit with you, walk you through, and show you how to speak. For me, that is more practical and efficient because if you allocate a day and say this day is for Backbenchers, like Dr Abdul Kabiru Tiah Mahama said, it connotes a certain mentality.
Mr Speaker, you may, as you want to guide us, but I would only appeal to Leadership and to yourself, that even as we debate the key issues, once in a while you can identify a Backbencher— I recall Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye, anytime we spoke, Mr Adongo and I, he would invite us to his office and encourage us. This is because he believed in in-depth knowledge analysis. Sometimes even when he is giving you three minutes, and he realises that you are churning out facts, and quoting, he would give you extra two minutes and say that this is bonus for exhibiting knowledge and a sense of maturity.
Mr Speaker, let me thank you for giving me this opportunity. We are still learning. This Parliament has been around for a while. We will continue to learn from people like you. I do not think that we need to change the current rendition of who is a Backbencher but I think that it is the approach and how we go about it that we should tinker with.
On this note, Mr Speaker, I want to thank you for the opportunity.
Hon Habib Iddrisu
Tolon
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to also add my voice and comment on the Statement made by the Chairman of the Backbenchers’ Committee.
Mr Speaker, I think we are all saying the same thing, except that we are mixing up the United Kingdom (UK) system and the Ghana system. The UK is running the opposition and government form of parliament. We in Ghana have the Majority and the Minority form of legislation. In essence, it means that in Ghana, you can be majority and it will not only be one party that forms the majority. It could be a combination of parties to form a Majority. Just as what happened in the Eighth Parliament, where we, the NPP Majority had 137, our colleagues in the NDC had 137, but the Independent Members elected to do business with us for us thus forming the Majority Party in the Parliament.
So, trying to actually compare in terms of the parliamentary systems of Ghana and the UK would be very difficult. Some Hon Members were making statements to the effect that many MPs entered the Chamber as Backbenchers; it is not everybody who entered Parliament as a Backbencher. I was fortunate; I did not enter this Chamber as a Backbencher. I entered this Parliament as a Leader of this House. So, people are fortunate and are lucky to be able to learn and have the opportunity to do so many things. But this Parliament—Especially with the Minority Side, we are very unique.
For instance, when Mr Abu Jinapor entered Parliament, he entered as a Minister. So, when you read Order 6 of our Standing Orders on interpretation, it is clear that as a Minister, he was not— Mr Speaker, I am guided. Hon Minister for Energy and Green Transition, you entered as a Backbencher. I did not enter as a Backbencher. So, allow me to make my point—[Interruption]. I am your Leader.
Mr Speaker, even though Dr Kabiru Mahama tried mentioning many other names, you could see that some of our first-time MPs, especially on the Minority Side, hardly would you be able to identify that they are even first-timers or Backbenchers when they are on their feet. The quality of their debates, the depth of analysis that they make when they are—Mr Speaker, at a point, the Majority agreed with the quality of the Minority. That is why the Hon Majority Leader proposed that we should allow three of them to speak and one of us will speak because he knew the quality we had on our Side.
So, Mr Speaker, this Statement made by the Chairman of the Backbenchers’ Committee—But I want to call on him that he has every power under our Standing Order, Order 236—It has given him the power under Standing Order 236, and if he—
Mr Speaker, because it says that they must determine one— that is Order 236 (2), that “The Committee shall (a) determine the business of Backbenchers for each Meeting”. So, if he sits down with his Committee Members, they can determine what they want to do. They can propose the business for the Backbenchers, the time and order in which the business shall be taken, and relate with the Business Committee. I would want to remind him that within the Standing Orders, he has some powers as to what he is seeking, even though this Statement is very important. We have a lot of people here, the Minister for Education who is a former Leader just left, they can guide and inspire. That is why when you see that those who are on our Side, the first timers, when they get up, I call them ‘sharpshooters’.
Mr Speaker, you would see that one of our Minority first-timers will make a Statement or contribute to a debate and it will take close to ten of the Majority to make a Statements that will be equivalent to that of the quality that we have and the nurturing that we enjoy. Mr Speaker, what we have been able to do and successfully done is that— Mr Speaker, I am guided and I will depart from where I was going, except to add that the quality of the Members of the Minority Caucus is very solid.
Mr Speaker, the Seniors, Hon Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Hon S. Jinapor and the others have Members who are Firsttimers that they are nurturing, guiding and showing how to debate. I do not think our Colleagues on the other Side are doing that. Because they are too many, they do not even have time for their Colleagues. But our Side has the quality to be able to guide our Colleagues —
Mr Speaker, I am guided. In fact, I was speaking about the quality of my MPs. I know my Side; I cannot speak for the Majority. Mr Speaker, with these few words, I think this Statement is important, and I call on the Chairman of the Committee to do more so that he will be able to come out with programmes and workshops to enhance the capacity of his Members. I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Hon George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan
Cape Coast South
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I want to take the opportunity to congratulate —
Actually, two Statements were made, and Leadership did not get to comment on them. We were talking about the last one, but there was actually a first Statement that was made by Hon Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, and the other Statement made by the Chairman of the Committee on Backbenchers’ Business. So, I want to take the opportunity to thank them for both Statements made.
Mr Speaker, all these things we are talking about, Backbenchers and all that, are mostly British legacy which we have copied, adopted and upgraded. We can define what our own Backbenchers should be, and that is what we have done. What I noticed is that in our Standing Orders, what we have as a function – if we look at page 133, where the function of the Committee on Backbenchers is given, much is not actually there.
This is because apart from these functions we have here with all the new Committees we have put in the Standing Orders, we have not actually developed the manuals that go with this Committee to know exactly what a Backbencher should be doing. So, I think we should speed up on these manuals for Backbenchers to know what their functions are, and then, of course, the definitions we have provided here on who a Backbencher is.
But I think, importantly, it is what the Backbencher is supposed to do. They are actually supposed to also be learning from us, the Leaders or those who have been here. So, the things we do and say are things that are taken up by the Backbenchers to develop what they will eventually become. So, as you have rightly directed, I think we should be very careful on the things that we say so that our Backbenchers do not pick the wrong signals or the wrong things to do. On the second one, which has to do with the maritime security matter that the Hon Member raised, I think that is an important one.
It is quite alarming that we have this maritime crime going on, involving piracy and all that, but as a country, whether they are standalone laws or the ones we have in some conventions, we have not even adopted them well, and our standalone ones cannot stand the test of time. It is important to note the recommendations my Hon Sister has given for the Minister for Transport to quickly come with a Bill to upgrade the old laws we have that are not functioning, so that we can upgrade these things. There is also a lot of technology out there which is being used in the fight against maritime crime in terms of maritime security.
This is because maritime crime is not only about the security aspect, but there is also an economic and defence risk, therefore it is important that we bring our laws and the technology to fight these things up to speed. We also need to engage the communities which are usually within the fishing areas to be well educated and aware of what is going on around them, so that we can defend our frontiers as we should do as a country.
Mr Speaker, with these few words, I would like to end here.
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