Audio By Carbonatix
A former Chair of Parliament's Accounts Committee says the house in which he serves, is home to 275 "unhappy and frustrated Members of Parliament."
Kan Dapaah is wondering why there has to be 275 MPs in that house when less than 100 MPs can easily do the job and even less are known to speak publicly on the floor anyway.
He would rather the number of MPs be reduced to either 104 or 125, numbers the state could easily resource and take care of.
With the status-quo, Kan Dapaah said the 275 MPs are "poorly remunerated, have no secretariat, no supporting staff but always under attack from constituents who see them as operating a micro finance company."
Kan Dapaah made the point in his address at the Institute of Economic Affairs organised Corruption conference held in Accra, Tuesday.
He was speaking on how best Parliament can help in the fight against corruption.
With the status quo, the MP for Afigya Sekyere West said Parliament is in no position to help fight corruption in the country.
He said Parliament cannot fight corruption because the "key accountability mechanism has been rendered ineffective."
The Accountant said the fortified powers of the Executive has only weakened the executive.
He cited the age-long constitutional arrangement of appointing 50 percent MPs into the executive as one of the key challenges facing the House.

Kan Dapaah said for an MP who is hoping to be appointed into ministerial position would never have the courage to criticize the executive when it goes wrong.
"There is too much partisanship in Parliament," he queried.
MPs are more interested in issues that concern their party than the ones that concern the nation and when there is a conflict between the interest of the party and that of the nation, the MP will sacrifice the country in the interest of the party, he stated.
Kan Dapaah also called for a change in the voice votes in Parliament which he said breeds sycophancy.
"With voice vote, an MP can vote to kill his own mother," he stated adding we must "put faces to the votes so that we can put the fear of God in the MPs during voting.
The Conference had President of the Central University College, Prof Kwasi Yankah deliver a no-holes-barred address which named and shamed past and present public officials for their corrupt acts.
Former Commissioner of CHRAJ Justice Emile Short also shared his experiences on how CHRAJ can best help in the fight against corruption.
Latest Stories
-
Analysis: How GoldBod’s operations led to a $214 million loss at the BoG
21 minutes -
Why Extending Ghana’s Presidential Term from Four to Five Years Is Not in the Interest of Ghanaians
21 minutes -
Young sanitation diplomat urges children to lead cleanliness drive
29 minutes -
Energy sector shortfall persists; to balloon to US$1.10bn in 2026 – IMF
30 minutes -
Gov’t secures $30m Chinese grant for new university of science and technology in Damango
41 minutes -
Education Minister commends St. Peter’s SHS for exiting double-track, pledges infrastructure support
44 minutes -
ECG to be privatised – IMF reveals in Staff Report
47 minutes -
Accra Unbuntu Lions Club impacts 500,000 Ghanaians in 5 years of social service
52 minutes -
VALCO Board holds maiden strategic meeting with management
1 hour -
African Festival: Nollywood star Tony Umez joins Nkrumah musical in Accra
1 hour -
U.S. lawyer suggests GRA–SML case is politically motivated; says Ofori-Atta isn’t evading justice
1 hour -
Ghana’s financial sector stability sustained but risks remain – IMF
1 hour -
Revival Concert sees massive turnout for Kweku Smoke
2 hours -
Amenfi Central MP supports completion of CHPS compound at Manso Nkwanta No. 2
2 hours -
Access Bank Ghana reflects on a year of resilience, renewal and impact at end-of-year thanksgiving service
2 hours
