Parliamentary gridlock is self-inflicted – Sory tackles ‘Cry Babies’ and political drama

In a thought-provoking essay, Thaddeus Sory, the lawyer for Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, takes a sharp and insightful jab at the ongoing political gridlock that has paralyzed the country’s Parliament. Drawing an unexpected analogy between the bat’s curious habit of urinating heavenwards and the current state of parliamentary dysfunction, Thaddeus Sory paints a vivid picture of the self-inflicted nature of the crisis. Through his critique, he accuses political actors of adopting a self-serving, blame-shifting attitude that has deepened the impasse, while undermining the public’s faith in the very institutions meant to serve them.

The bat’s lesson: An allegory of futility and self-destruction

Sory opens his essay with a local proverb about the bat, which, in his people’s story, urinates upward despite the inevitable futility of such an act. “The bat’s decision is to urinate on God,” Sory explains, offering this strange behaviour as an allegory for the political drama currently unfolding in Ghana. The bat’s futile attempt to defy gravity, he suggests, mirrors the actions of those in Parliament who continue to engage in destructive behaviour, despite the inevitable consequences. It is a decision made not out of necessity, but out of an ill-advised sense of resolve—an effort to impose one’s will, even when it is clear that the effort will fail.

Sory’s metaphor sets the tone for the rest of the essay, where he critiques the decision-making of Parliamentarians and their role in perpetuating the crisis. The Speaker of Parliament, Sory contends, is not the root cause of the problem, despite being unfairly blamed for the ongoing deadlock. Instead, the crisis is largely the result of actions taken by the very individuals now demanding a resolution.

The Speaker and Supreme Court: A paradox of expectations

At the heart of the issue is a dispute involving the Speaker of Parliament’s authority and a ruling by the Supreme Court. The controversy erupted when the current Speaker made a pronouncement on a matter of parliamentary procedure, following a precedent set by his predecessor. While the previous Speaker’s ruling had been accepted without question, the current Speaker’s decision triggered outrage from the one side of the house, leading them to seek legal redress.

Sory highlights the paradox that has followed: after the Supreme Court’s intervention, Parliament, instead of returning to normalcy, has been embroiled in further delays and confusion. The court ruling was initially hailed as a potential resolution, yet it has done little to resolve the underlying issues or bring Parliament back into session. As the case drags on, Sory notes with irony, the very individuals who sought the court’s intervention are now subtly shifting their position, asking the Speaker to use his discretion to call Parliament back into session—without clearly specifying what urgent business requires attention.

The Sisyphus complex: A political farce of blame and inaction

One of Sory’s most biting critiques is directed at what he terms the “Sisyphus Complex”—a reference to the Greek mythological figure condemned to roll a boulder uphill for eternity, only for it to roll back down each time. Sory argues that the political drama in Parliament has taken on a similar character: after each action taken to resolve the crisis, it only leads to more gridlock and inaction. The political players involved, especially the plaintiff, seem to have fallen into a pattern of finger-pointing and blame-shifting, rather than offering any meaningful solutions.

He points out that the Speaker’s actions, though controversial, have followed established precedents, and it is the ruling party’s failure to secure a quorum in Parliament that has led to the suspension of sittings. Yet, Sory contends, the blame for Parliament’s continued paralysis is now being squarely placed on the Speaker, who is accused of failing to resolve the impasse. The same individuals who sought the intervention of the courts now expect the Speaker to act as the sole decision-maker on when and how Parliament should reconvene, without acknowledging their own role in the problem.

Cry babies and constitutional responsibility

Sory is equally scornful of the political actors, particularly the plaintiff’s followers, whom he refers to as “cry babies.” These individuals, he argues, are acting like petulant children who demand immediate gratification without consideration for the broader context or the needs of others. The “cry babies” not only demand the Speaker’s recall of Parliament but also seem to expect him to do so without regard for the constitutional process or the needs of other Members of Parliament, many of whom are currently out of Accra on official business.

He draws attention to the fact that the Speaker’s discretion in recalling Parliament is not arbitrary; it must take into account the broader interests of Parliament and its members, ensuring fairness to all involved. The plaintiff and/or followers, however, disregards these considerations in their pursuit of what they want, regardless of the consequences for others.

In a particularly sharp criticism, Sory takes aim at those within the plaintiff’s circles who demand sanctions against the Speaker’s legal team, suggesting that they are selectively applying principles of constitutional duty based on personal grievances. He points out the hypocrisy of such demands, noting that the very individuals now calling for punitive measures were previously silent when the court rulings they favoured came under criticism.

Conclusion: Time to grow up

Ultimately, Sory’s essay is a call for political maturity and accountability. The gridlock in Parliament, he argues, is largely self-inflicted and results from the refusal of key political players to take responsibility for their actions. Rather than indulging in the theatrics of blame-shifting and personal vendettas, it is time for the political leadership to recognize the shared responsibility they bear in resolving the crisis.

Sory concludes with a final warning to those acting like “cry babies”—those who demand solutions but fail to consider the broader context or the interests of others. “Cry babies usually have their way when they have indulging parents,” Sory writes, “but when their parents fail, strangers will do it for them.” In this case, the “parents” of the political system—those in positions of power—must recognize that their indulgence of such behaviour must end. It is time to “get weaned” of this childish approach to governance and address the real issues at hand with maturity and responsibility.

Sory’s message is clear: if Ghana’s Parliament is to move forward, it must first recognize that the gridlock is self-inflicted, and only through responsible, collaborative efforts can the country’s democratic institutions be restored to fully function.