The Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr Rasheed Draman, has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to rely more on credible data and evidence when making arguments in the House to reduce excessive partisanship and improve the quality of parliamentary debates.

Dr Draman said while politics was central to parliamentary proceedings because legislators represented different political interests, debates grounded in verifiable facts could help reduce tensions and promote more constructive discussions.

“When discussions are based on credible data and evidence that both sides can verify, it reduces the acrimony and excessive partisan approach to issues,” he said.

He made the remarks in an interview with the Daily Graphic following recent developments in Parliament and ahead of debates on the 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review presented by the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.

The debate on the mid-year review is expected to begin on Tuesday, with the Majority and Minority leaders scheduled to conclude discussions on Thursday, July 30, before Parliament adjourns sine die on Friday, July 31, 2026.

Dr Draman acknowledged that disagreements in Parliament were unavoidable because the institution brought together representatives with different political ideologies and interests.

However, he said political differences should be managed through informed discussions rather than partisan positions that prevent meaningful engagement on national issues.

According to him, greater use of reliable information would allow lawmakers to focus on the substance of policies and contribute to better decision-making.

The governance expert also addressed concerns over declining public confidence in political institutions, saying evidence showed that many Ghanaians had low levels of trust in elected officials and key democratic institutions, including Parliament, the Presidency, the governing party and the opposition.

Despite these concerns, Dr Draman stressed that Parliament remained a critical institution for Ghana’s democracy.

“Our situation would have been far worse if we did not have Parliament,” he said.

He explained that Parliament provides a platform for representatives to debate national issues, express differing views and resolve political disagreements through dialogue rather than confrontation.

“The fact that we have a deliberative chamber where representatives can agree and disagree, instead of people being on the streets or at each other’s throats, is a major contribution to national cohesion,” he said.

Dr Draman said strengthening the quality of parliamentary debate through evidence-based discussions would help improve public confidence in the institution and reinforce its role in Ghana’s democratic governance.