The outgoing Asante Akim North MP, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, has expressed concerns about the increasing number of young and inexperienced MPs being elected to Ghana’s Parliament.

In an interview on Upfront with Raymond Acquah, he acknowledged the potential of young lawmakers but emphasised the importance of retaining experienced MPs to uphold the quality of parliamentary debate and governance.

Reflecting on the shift in parliamentary composition, Mr Appiah-Kubi said, “Now, we have young, sometimes inexperienced MPs, and then a mixed balance.

"We cannot say that because they are young, they are inexperienced. We cannot also say that because they are young, they are incapable.”

While recognising that some young MPs perform exceptionally well, Mr Appiah-Kubi stressed that experience plays a critical role in shaping parliamentary performance:

“We can see some young, brilliant people who come and do even better than the people with experience. But it is better if we had maintained more senior people.”

For Mr Appiah-Kubi, the essence of Parliament lies in robust debate—a skill that, he argued, often requires experience to master:

“Parliament is about debate. The debate is between the majority and the minority. Even to build the confidence to stand on your feet and call for attention—it’s not easy.”

He described the unique pressures of addressing Parliament, where the stakes are far higher than casual conversations.

“Parliament is not an ordinary platform where you can talk to your friends. When you rise at the behest of the Speaker, you are speaking to the Speaker of Parliament of Ghana.

"Therefore, you need a certain level of courage, an understanding of parliamentary procedure, and command of the issues you are raising.”

The outgoing MP underscored how the absence of seasoned lawmakers weakens parliamentary discourse, as less experienced MPs may struggle to articulate their arguments effectively or lack the procedural knowledge to influence decisions.