Members of Parliament have until the end of this month to choose some 230 graduates from the nation’s tertiary institutions to act as research assistants. The initiative is part of President Mills’ pledge to assist the legislature in carrying out its constitutional mandate more effectively. The Executive Director of the National Service Board, Vincent Senam Kuagbenu in an interview with Joy News hinted that the MPs have the right to choose relatives or people from their constituencies, but added the board is yet to take a firm decision on the modalities. “The MPs should know the person and trust that he is able to do his work for him and keep some level of confidence in his research person,” he explained. The minority leader Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, though in favour of the president’s initiative, lamented the absence of an office space to house the research assistants. Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Mahama Ayariga has supported moves to have relatives and close associates of Members of Parliament appointed for the position. "Whether it is a relative, whether it is somebody from his constituency or whether it is any other person, i believe that there must basic criteria which must be met." "We cannot discriminate against a relative on the basis of such people being relatives, he added. He said the MPs need to be comfortable with the assistants who will work for them. He reiterated government’s commitment to strengthening the legislature, saying the president is ready to increase budgetary allocation to ensure the speedy implementation of the research initiative. Mahama Ayariga suggested the erstwhile Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs to be used as a new office block for the research assistants. Ayariga advised the leadership of the House to consult the Works and Housing Ministry for the release of the office space. He said the presence of the research assistants will in no small way improve the performance of parliamentarians. Listen to excerpts of the interview with Mahama Ayariga in the attached audio. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana