Shelve new parliament chamber - Otchere-Darko advises
A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has joined the debate about the proposed construction of a new parliamentary chamber.
The 450-seater chamber to be constructed by the architectural firm – Adjaye & Associates is estimated to cost the state $200million, a figure that has generated angst among some segments of Ghanaian society.
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Many social media users have suggested that it's rumoured $200m cost is an extravagance that Ghana cannot afford at this stage in its development especially as the sum should rather be used to construct factories and provide social amenities that will benefit the citizenry.
Mr Otchere-Darko in a Facebook post said the facility if constructed will add to Ghana's national monuments and provide MPs with a better working environment.
However, he advised that it must be shelved because it will be difficult to persuade people to accept it at this moment.
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He posted: "Beautiful design. Will add to our national monuments and give MPs a better working environment. But, not now. Shelve it. A tough sell".
A statement copied the Ghana News Agency said during the presentation of the model Chamber Block to the Speaker of Parliament and the Leadership, Sir David Adjaye, the architect of the project indicated that the concept was inspired by the Akan saying, “Ti kro nko agyina”, literally meaning, “two heads are better than one.”
“This key concept is one that depicts the idea of Ghanaian democracy, where Parliament represents a body with various members interlocked in decision making,” he said.
Commenting on the sitting capacity of the model New Chamber Block, the Speaker of Parliament clarified that the 450 seater Chamber did not necessarily mean that the number of Members of Parliament would be increased.
“However, the monumental project is planned to be futuristic and one that will stand the test of time and for posterity,” he asserted.
The proposal for the new Chamber, with a sitting capacity of about 450 Members of Parliament is expected to house facilities including diplomatic offices, a library, a museum, a church, a mosque, eateries, press conference rooms, galleries, a car park, an upper gallery garden, a post office and other facilities to complete the Parliamentary enclave.