Professor Joshua Alabi’s call for prudence and accountability within the newly elected NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament serves as a crucial reminder of the responsibilities that come with a significant electoral mandate. His caution against blindly endorsing executive decisions and his emphasis on prioritizing the interests of the electorate underscore the importance of representative democracy and the need for elected officials to remain accountable to the people they serve. The two-thirds majority secured by the NDC represents a significant shift in the parliamentary landscape and carries with it the potential for both impactful governance and the risk of unchecked power. Professor Alabi’s message seeks to guide the NDC Caucus towards the former, emphasizing the need for thoughtful decision-making and a constant awareness of the public good.
A two-thirds majority in parliament grants the ruling party significant power to shape legislation and influence government policy. This level of control can be instrumental in driving forward a party’s agenda and enacting meaningful change. However, it also carries the inherent risk of becoming a “rubber-stamp Parliament,” where the legislative branch simply approves executive decisions without sufficient scrutiny or debate. Professor Alabi explicitly rejects this notion, highlighting the dangers of such an approach. He argues that a two-thirds majority should not be seen as a license for unchecked power but rather as a heightened responsibility to act with transparency and accountability. The mandate given by the people, he insists, is not for the benefit of the ruling party but for the benefit of the nation as a whole.
The electorate, having experienced both slim majorities and hung parliaments, has placed their trust in the NDC with the expectation that this supermajority will deliver tangible results. They are looking for effective governance that addresses their needs and improves their lives. This expectation, according to Professor Alabi, should guide the actions of the NDC Caucus. Every decision made in Parliament should be weighed against its potential impact on the people. The two-thirds majority, therefore, should be used not for political maneuvering or intimidation but for enacting legislation that benefits all citizens. This includes careful consideration of executive proposals, ensuring that they align with the public interest and are not simply rubber-stamped without proper scrutiny.
The upcoming campaign season, though still some time away, looms large in Professor Alabi’s message. He emphasizes that the NDC Caucus must constantly be mindful of the judgment of the electorate. Their actions in Parliament will be scrutinized, and they will be held accountable for how they utilize their significant majority. The question they will face when they return to the people to seek re-election will be: “What did you achieve with the power we entrusted to you?” This focus on future accountability serves as a powerful incentive for responsible governance in the present. The NDC Caucus must demonstrate that they have used their power wisely, in the service of the people, and not for partisan gain.
Professor Alabi’s cautionary words are not simply directed at the NDC Caucus but serve as a broader reminder of the principles of democratic governance. A strong majority in Parliament provides the opportunity to enact meaningful change, but it also carries the risk of becoming detached from the needs and concerns of the people. The temptation to wield power without sufficient checks and balances is ever-present, and it is the responsibility of elected officials to resist this temptation. Transparency, accountability, and a constant focus on the public good are essential elements of responsible governance, regardless of the size of the ruling majority.
In essence, Professor Alabi’s message is a call for responsible governance. He urges the NDC Caucus to use its significant majority wisely, not for partisan advantage, but to deliver tangible results for the people of Ghana. He reminds them that the power they hold is derived from the people and that they will ultimately be judged by the electorate on how they wield that power. His emphasis on prudence, accountability, and a constant awareness of the public good serves as a valuable guide not only for the NDC Caucus but also for any elected body entrusted with the responsibility of governing.
