Executive Director of the African Center for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr. Rasheed Draman, emphasized the importance of having a systematic approach to grooming new talents within political parties to replace experienced MPs gradually.

He highlighted the need for mentorship programs, capacity building, and the involvement of young politicians in various parliamentary activities to prepare them for future leadership roles.

The call for deliberate grooming strategies comes as several long-serving MPs announce their decision not to seek reelection, raising questions about the potential loss of institutional knowledge and experience in the legislature.

“In Norway, the parties have academics; they prepare young people, they have a way of preparing people to go to parliament. In that system, you can have a lot of young people in parliament, with people who are already prepared, people who have gained some experience through the preparations and support that they have had from the parties.”

“In our system, I don’t know if there is any school or academic where a candidate who is preparing to go to parliament is taken through some kind of skills training and preparations. You wake up, and if there’s a mad rush, everybody wants to go to parliament without any experience. And then you have these experienced hands leaving; then it creates a big void," he told Citinews.

Dr. Rasheed Draman expressed concern about the potential impact of the exit of experienced Members of Parliament on the overall functioning of the legislative body.

“The work of parliament, legislative work, is not for the faint-hearted; I mean, it’s not for everyone. You get the experience by doing, and you learn by doing. People become very important assets, both for the parties, parliament, and the country. I would have hoped that there has been some cause in the past for some seats to be protected. I would have hoped that the parties in parliament would have found a way, at least to ensure that through some internal negotiations and agreement, some seats will be protected,” the Executive Director of ACEPA said.

Several MPs, including key figures like Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, First Deputy Speaker Joe Osei Owusu, Atta Akyea, Joe Ghartey, and Ken Agyapong, have chosen not to seek reelection in the upcoming 2024 parliamentary elections. This decision raises concerns about a potential leadership void and its impact on parliamentary representation.

Among other MPs opting not to run again are Dan Botwe, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Emmanuel Marfo, Benito Owusu-Bio, Carlos Ahenkora, Nana Kwasi Adjei Boateng, William Owuraku Aidoo, Johnson Adu, Francis Manu-Adabor, Suleman Sanid, Kojo Kum, and Francisca Oteng. The reasons for their decisions remain unclear, with speculations ranging from potential retirements to pursuing alternative professional opportunities or taking a break from the demanding nature of parliamentary life.

The exit of these experienced MPs underscores the importance of succession planning and grooming emerging leaders within political parties to ensure a smooth transition and effective parliamentary functioning.