It has emerged that even before the Akufo Addo government thought of the construction of a new Parliamentary Chamber which has sparked public outcry, ex-President John Mahama had already mooted the idea while in office.
The announcement of the construction of a new chamber estimated to cost a staggering $200million has generated heated debate among a section of the public including members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) who are arguing that even the thought of this in itself is unholy and despicable.
The NDC in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia has been loud in its unequivocal opposition to the construction of the building, insisting that it will amount to profligate spending at a time of distress for the Ghanaian people.
“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.”
However, a search conducted by Kasapafmonline.com reveals that Ex-President Mahama who’s the NDC’s Flagbearer for the upcoming 2020 election in his first State of the Nation Address in 2013, touched on the need to construct a new Chamber of Parliament for members of the Legislature.
In that address under Pillar Four: TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE, the ex-President expressed his administration’s commitment to strengthen the Legislative arm of government.
“In my first term, we will seek to strengthen Parliament by – Establishing the Democracy Fund proposed by the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) to provide sustainable funding for Parliament, Independent Governance Institutions and other pro-democracy governance bodies.
“Strengthening the Committees of Parliament by ensuring that the Chairpersons and Ranking Members of Parliament are accorded recognition consistent with their status and responsibilities as recommended by the CRC.
“Commence a feasibility study for the construction of a new Parliamentary Chamber block on the premises of the state house.”
The 450 capacity new chamber project which is expected to start before the end of 2019 will be completed in three years and will be a multi-purpose building with a chapel, mosque, eatery, and a museum.
