The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, (NDC) has accused Parliament and Government of insensitive as the two top arms of the State planned to put up a new Chamber Block.
In a press statement to add his voice to growing debate as to whether or not Ghana needs additional Parliament House, Johnson Asiedu Nketua popularly called “General Mosquito’ said, in the 21st Century, over 20% of Ghanaians live without potable water and are compelled to share very dirty and infested water with animals” all the government planned to do is build new facility worth $200 million for the Members f Parliament.
According to the NDC’s scribe, about 16% of people living in Ghana are without access to electricity and sleep in darkness…. “there remain many roads that require urgent attention because of their deplorable state. School children still study under trees or are compelled to study in dilapidated structures.
Close to three million Ghanaians live below the poverty line and cannot afford three square meals a day”.
He said “President Akufo-Addo must learn from the example of the NDC that invested heavily in education, health, housing, communications, water, roads transportation and other sectors which brought relief to the people of Ghana. He must not subject the public purse which he promised to protect”.
Below is the full statement:
STATEMENT BY NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS ON PROPOSED $ 200 MILLION PARLIAMNENTARY CHAMBER
03/07/19
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has learnt of plans by the Akufo-Addo government and the Parliamentary Service Board to construct a $ 200 million,450-seater Parliamentary Chamber with auxiliary facilities.
The NDC wishes to state unequivocally, that it is opposed to this profligate spending at a time of great distress for the Ghanaian people. Despite incremental gains in the development of the country, many of our people live in harrowing conditions and are deprived of the basic necessities of life.
In the 21st Century, over 20% of Ghanaians live without potable water and are compelled to share very dirty and infested water with animals. About 16% of our people are without access to electricity and sleep in darkness.
There remain many roads that require urgent attention because of their deplorable state. School children still study under trees or are compelled to study in dilapidated structures.
Close to three million Ghanaians live below the poverty line and cannot afford three square meals a day.
It would be unconscionable in the face of these challenges for President Akufo-Addo to spend $200 million on a Parliamentary Chamber at a time when one already exists and is serving the needs of Parliament. Parliament only recently had the Job 600 project undertaken to provide decent offices for MPs. We are unable therefore to appreciate the basis upon which a new chamber should be built.
We demand an immediate cessation of plans to undertake this project. National resources must be channeled into projects and expenditure that have a direct bearing on the lives of the people not grandiose and prestige projects of doubtful relevance.
We commend all Ghanaians who have risen up and condemned the recklessness of the Akufo-Addo government in this matter and expressed, with a collective voice, their opposition to this needless and wasteful expenditure.
President Akufo-Addo must learn from the example of the NDC that invested heavily in education, health, housing, communications, water, roads transportation and other sectors which brought relief to the people of Ghana. He must not subject the public purse which he promised to protect.
Signed: Johnson Asiedu Nketiah General Secretary, NDC
Story by Edzorna Francis Mensah
