MP Calls for Closer Ties with Council of State

The Member of Parliament for Hohoe, Dr. Bernice Adiku Heloo, has called on the Council of State to up its game in order to ensure effective collaboration with the legislature on matters of national concern to enhance issues of governance.

Articles 90 and 91 of the 1992 Constitution made provisions for the Council of State to make inputs into the drafting of bills and initiate or make recommendations for Parliament’s consideration.

In addition, Standing Order 53 of Parliament allows the Council of State to provide messages to the legislature.

These provisions, according to the Hohoe legislature, have not been followed by the Council of States over the years hence her call on the current administration to act.

“The thing is that for a very long time, we have never had such messages coming from this noble institution so it is important that they take up the challenge and comment on important issues that come before Parliament. So we can also have access to their rich knowledge and experience, so that in the affairs of Parliament we can also say they have contributed to some of our debates and bills that we enact into Acts” she said.

These provisions according to her, have not been taken advantage of by the Council of State over the years.

Members of the Council of State are made up of eminent men and women and she expects that bills that are passed in Parliament can be scrutinized by them.

Dr. Heloo also maintained that, showing continuous interest in Parliamentary issues is the way to go to enhance the democratic credentials of the country.

The 1992 Constitution stipulates that there shall be a Council of State to counsel the President in the performance of his functions.

Among their functions, they are to consider and advise the President or any other authority in respect of any appointment which is required by this Constitution or any other law to be made in accordance with the advice of, or in consultation with, the Council of State.

By: Christian Kpesese/ thePublisher