By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Members of Parliament (MPs) in Ghana are facing intense scrutiny and criticism, for using four wheel drives with the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin coming out to respond that, they have no problem if given bicycles because it would lessen the load on them.
Member of Parliament for Abura Asebu-Kwamankese Constituency and Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has spoken out about the difficulties MPs encounter, saying they are “perhaps the most unfairly treated” in the governance architecture.
“I think that for many years, MPs have been unfairly criticised, simply because they are given the same tools that other public service holders get to do their work. In the past, I used to join those who used to harangue MPs but since becoming one, I have noticed that MPs are perhaps the most unfairly treated in the whole governance architecture. MPs, like everybody else within the three arms of government, provide a public service.They serve people. When you are elected as an MP, everything you do is in the interest of the people of Ghana. Ministers, we all agree, should be given some facilities in order to be able to do their work. The same for the judiciary but the moment it gets to MPs, a certain attack is launched on them”, he noted.
According to him, MPs handle hundreds of requests daily, including funerals and personal needs, with no subsidies or allowances. Mr. Kwakye-Ofosu explained on Newsfile today, March 7, that MPs’ salaries are comparable to those of ministers, and they receive a loan to purchase a vehicle, with deductions starting before receipt.
He also revealed, the public perception of MPs is often misconceived, with critics assuming they are well-off due to benefits.
“Let me tell you up front, and I know it because I have experienced it, there is nothing that the MP gets for his own tenure that will come anywhere close to what the MP spends on the people that he serves”.
Mr. Kwakye-Ofosu stressed that, MPs have not helped themselves due to the opacity behind which they have operated. “We have not opened up enough. People are even afraid to discuss what they earn for fear of public backlash.I can tell you for free, it is equivalent to what ministers earn and that’s it. Unlike ministers who have a duty-posed vehicle.
He also emphasized that MPs spend most of their resources on constituents, with some former MPs struggling financially. He also called for greater transparency to address public misconceptions about MPs’ compensation.
The MP further shared a personal experience where he had to ask his wife to send money for fuel to return to Accra, after spending all he had on him in his constituency.
He urged the public to understand the challenges MPs face and the need for greater support.
