Accra: Political analyst Samuel Boateng has critiqued the proposal to increase Ghana's parliamentary seats from 275 to 300, describing it as a needless and wasteful exercise. He asserted that Members of Parliament (MPs) have not delivered substantial results to justify the expansion of the House.
According to Ghana Web, Boateng's comments come in response to an announcement by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, regarding the government's acceptance of a proposal to cap the number of MPs at 300. This proposal is part of the government's White Paper on the recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee, aiming to strengthen democratic institutions and improve governance.
In an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Boateng argued that the move is unnecessary and should be rejected. He claimed that MPs often prioritize personal and political agendas over public interest. Boateng questioned the necessity of increasing parliamentary seats to 300, suggesting that the current population does not require such a number.
He highlighted that MPs are expected to represent the interests of Ghanaians but often fail to engage with their constituents effectively. Boateng advocated for reducing the number of MPs to 200 instead of increasing it to 300, which he believes would better serve the nation's interests.
Furthermore, Boateng criticized the recommendation to cap the executive at 60 ministers, describing it as burdensome on the public purse. He argued that Ghana does not need more than 30 ministers, including regional ministers, to promote effective governance and reduce financial strain.