The Member of Parliament for Shai Osudoku has called for a freeze in proposed salary increases for Members of Parliament. David Tetteh Asumeng told Joy News’ Sammy Darko there is no justification for such increases. The MPs have been clamouring for increases in their salaries and have made proposals to the Presidential Commission on Emoluments for upward reviews. They are demanding an increase of about 300 percent from an amount of GHS 2,700 to GHS 8,000 per month. The Presidential Commission whose duty it is to determine salaries for Article 71 office holders- Ministers, MPs, Presidents, Judges - is however yet to take a final decision on the matter. Even before the decision is made, the MPs have been passionate about the matter and have begun courting public approval for the increases. The Minority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu only Monday explained that the House of Parliament risk losing qualified human resource if the conditions of service are not improved. He was convinced MPs are the least paid public officials under Article 71 Office holders, and appealed for a dispassionate analysis on the matter. But members of the public disagree and have not hidden their displeasure for any such increases. In a surprising twist, MP for Shai Osu Doku, David Tetteh Asumeng has broken ranks with his colleagues in Parliament, saying MPs must tarry in their demands for salary increases. He explained that unless the living standards of the electorates who voted the MPs into office improved, there is absolutely no justification for MPs to demand salary increases. “It is very important for us to be mindful of the people who elected us into office. We need to meet the needs of the people; the needs of the people must be paramount for us. “And since we are all trying to make a better Ghana for our people I think we must look at that area before looking at ourselves," he said He dismissed assertions that he is patronizing the public who has been critical of such increases. David Tetteh Asumeng said he is not happy with his salary but believes when the MPs and politicians as a whole are able to improve the lot of all Ghanaians then there will be enough justification for increases in salaries for MPs. Play the attached audio for excerpts of the interview. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana