Chief Director at the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs says his outfit is working to ensure that experienced parliamentarians are retained in Parliament.

According to Dr. Evans Aggrey Darko, the high attrition rate of MPs affects activities of the House, especially lawmaking.

He explained that the situation comes about because most legislators fail to “strike a synergy between being lawmaking and also undertaking constituency activities.

“Those who have been unable to strike that delicate balance have always found themselves wanting.”

His comment comes after nine sitting MPs from the opposition National Democratic Congress decided against seeking re-election while nine others who did, lost their bid to represent the party in the primaries held on Saturday.

Emmanuel Nii Okai Laryea (Amasaman constituency), Joseph Yieleh Chireh (Wa West constituency) and Ras Mubarak (Kumbungu constituency) are but few examples of those who lost their seats in the weekend election. 

Dr. Darko says the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) should intensify public education on the role of MPs.

This will ensure that voters do not judge MPS by just by their contribution to developments in the constituency but also the quality of work they do in Parliament on behalf of the whole nation.

This he says, is essential because, most of what pertains in Parliament, may not come to the public’s attention but are nonetheless priceless for the development of Ghana and its democracy.

The Ministry, he hinted, is also putting in place systems, including linking up other agencies to address the challenge.

The problem may require some education of the MPs themselves as some of those who failed to contest did so for personal reasons rather than the fear of losing the elections. 

Keta MP is one of such legislators. 

According to Richard Quarshigah, he made it known “right from the word go in 2011” that he was not going to contest beyond two terms.

“I said that on a number of stations that I was seeking to do two terms. And being a man of my words and very principled for that matter, I decided to keep to that,” he told Roland Walker on JoyNews TV.

“I am not your normal African politician. No need to cling on to power. You may say Parliament is juicy but it is also hard work. It is a job that is psychologically tasking," he explained his decision.