Minority Leader says 123 new MPs have Performed Poorly
The minority leader says the new MPs have been 'abysmal'
Jonas Danquah 
The Minority Leader in Ghana's Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu has described the overall performance of first-term MPs as 'abysmal.'
According to the minority leader, out of the 123 first term-term MPs, only five have participated in regular law making processes in the house.
“If you were to ask me to make an assessment, I can narrow to only five newcomers who are interested in the rudiments of lawmaking.”
He made these remarks, speaking at a forum organized by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs on August 5.
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On the other hand, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu believes the criticisms levelled against these first-term MPs are Inappropriate , saying, they must be given time to grow.
“We need to groom them…. sometimes we need to write speeches for them to unlock their tongue because they will come with a considerable amount of stage fright”
“At the committee levels we need to attach them to certain projects so that they can learn”
In other related development, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, at the same forum, disclosed his intention to quit active politics after the end of eight session of Parliament on January 6, 2025.
He said after serving Member of Parliament since January 7, 1997 [more than 23 years as of now], he was of the firm conviction that the career of Parliamentarian was a noble one.
“I can testify from my 23 years as a Member of Parliament that it has been most gratifying and challenging but I have no regrets as it has given me the very opportunity to serve my country,” he said.
The Leader of Government Business in Parliament had noted that globally lawmakers, such as the late US congressman, Mr John Lewis, who served 17 terms after being in congress for 38 years, were recognised as iconic figures.
On the contrary, he said in Ghana where long-serving legislators were given names that were “pregnant with derogatory connotations that do not encourage Members of Parliament.”
According to him, established democracies the world over were guided and guarded as party executives were not elected but chosen by party leaders at the national level.
