A leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Edudzi Tamakloe, has launched a scathing critique of Professor Mike Oquaye’s leadership as Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament.
Speaking on TV3’s New Day, Tamakloe labeled Oquaye as the “worst Speaker of Parliament Ghana has ever had,” citing what he described as a lack of impartiality during Oquaye’s tenure.
According to Tamakloe, Professor Oquaye failed to perform the critical role of holding the executive arm of government accountable.
He argued that instead of ensuring checks and balances, the former Speaker exhibited a level of partisanship that undermined the independence of Parliament.
“Mike Oquaye never called President Akufo-Addo to order. He was rather a poodle to him,” Tamakloe asserted, reflecting on Oquaye’s handling of parliamentary proceedings under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration.
These remarks come amid broader discussions about the role and neutrality of parliamentary speakers in Ghana.
As the head of the legislative branch, the Speaker is expected to act as a neutral arbiter, ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliament while fostering accountability within the government.
Tamakloe’s criticism suggests that the former Speaker prioritized loyalty to his party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), over his duty to the nation.
Mike Oquaye served as Speaker of Parliament from 2017 to 2021, a period that saw intense political debates and a closely divided legislature.
While he earned praise from some for his legal expertise and contributions to parliamentary reforms, detractors often questioned his impartiality.
For Tamakloe, Oquaye’s tenure represented a missed opportunity to strengthen democratic oversight.
Supporters of Oquaye, however, might argue that his leadership was consistent with the tradition of speakers aligning with the ruling party in Ghana’s parliamentary history.
They could also point to his extensive academic and political career, which included roles as a lawyer, professor, and former Member of Parliament, as evidence of his qualifications.
Edudzi Tamakloe’s comments reignite a recurring debate in Ghana about the need for stronger institutional independence in the country’s democracy.
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