A linguistics expert from the University of Ghana, Professor Kofi Agyekum, has expressed dissatisfaction with Ghana's 8th Parliament, particularly in response to events involving NDC MPs on October 22, 2024.

Speaking on Peace FM's Kokrokoo show on October 24, Prof. Agyekum referred to a scene where NDC legislators sang and marched on the Parliament floor as “a joke.” His remarks align with those of First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu, who shared a similar view on the behavior displayed.

Prof. Agyekum argued that the lawmakers appear to be straying from their essential duties of legislation and instead indulging in unnecessary disputes.

He specifically criticized the recent altercation over which caucus holds the right to the Majority seats, describing the disagreement as unproductive and a distraction from Parliament’s legislative role.

“I was saddened by the display of the parliamentarians on Tuesday where they were singing and marching on a march pass. How can persons we have voted into power to enforce and make laws that will advance the country be behaving this way?

“To add to what Joe Wise said about being disappointed in the 8th Parliament, I agree because the foundation of this Parliament wasn’t built on the right path. It started on January 7th where these parliamentarians were seen snatching ballot boxes, chewing ballot papers and engaging in fisticuffs. This same Parliament and it has gradually gotten to this current stage…” he said.

Professor Kofi Agyekum’s critique of the 8th Parliament echoes sentiments previously shared by First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu.

He argues that the current Parliament’s repeated controversies have eroded the institution's credibility.

According to Prof. Agyekum, previous parliaments demonstrated more effectiveness in passing legislation and contributing to Ghana’s legal framework than the current legislature.

He suggests that, in contrast, the 8th Parliament has been largely preoccupied with disputes and theatrics, detracting from its core function of lawmaking and productive governance.

“I am disappointed in the 8th parliament generally. We have done very little in legislation and you can just take the number of laws and smaller legislations we have done. We have wasted so much time on inconsequential things and matters when our main job is making laws.

“Go and take the number of laws we have made in the last four years and compare with the other parliaments and you will see that the 8th parliament has been the least. It's been full of controversy, matters that previously we used to sit down and discuss and overcome, now we’ve turned them into fisticuffs and that is most disappointing to me," he said.

He continued to lament that, “The whole essence of democracy is to encourage people to exchange ideas, so, if Parliament, which is the entire reflection of the country, we cannot sit down on any matter to discuss and agree or agree to disagree, where is our democracy. So, I find our conduct very disappointing as a parliament."