I’m disappointed in 8th Parliament; we’ve achieved very little – Joe Wise

First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has expressed his profound disappointment with the performance and conduct of the 8th Parliament of Ghana.

In an interview with Citi News, Joe Wise, as he is commonly known, criticized the current parliamentary session for its lack of focus, persistent controversies, and failure to prioritize its fundamental duty of lawmaking.

He stated that, the 8th Parliament has not met the legislative standards set by its predecessors, ultimately falling short of public expectations.

Joe Wise lamented that instead of dedicating itself to the essential task of creating laws, the House has often been distracted by unnecessary and unproductive disputes.

He particularly noted the inadequate number of laws passed during this session compared to previous ones.

The Member of Parliament for Bekwai said the legislative output of the 8th Parliament has been noticeably low, both in terms of significant legislation and smaller legislative instruments.

“Let me say that I am disappointed in the eighth Parliament, generally. I said the other time that we have done very little in legislation. You can just take the number of laws and smaller legislations we have done. We have wasted so much time on inconsequential things, inconsequential matters. Our main job is making laws.

“You go and take the number of laws we have made in the last four years and compare with the other Parliaments and you see that the eighth Parliament has been the least.

“It has been full of controversy. Matters that previously we used to sit down and discuss and overcome and do, now we take them into fisticuffs and that is most disappointing to me.”