LPG lauds boldness of Ghanaians for demanding accountability from political leaders

The acting National Chairman of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Mr John Amekah, has lauded the boldness of Ghanaians for demanding accountability from the country’s political leaders.

Citing the ongoing brouhaha over plans to construct the new Parliamentary Chamber, he said the manner and way in which Ghanaians, from all political divides, had risen against it demonstrated that the people would not sit down and allow Parliament to implement programmes that did not benefit them in any way.

“This new spirit from Ghanaians deserves commendation. Parliament cannot just sit down and take decisions that will bring comfort to them while the people continue to lack the basic necessities of life such as good hospitals and potable water,” Mr Amekah said in a chat with the Daily Graphic.

Background

There is a growing rage in both the traditional and social media over a decision by Parliament to construct a new chamber aimed at creating more space and comfort for lawmakers.

The new 450-seater capacity chamber, when built, will have a chapel, a mosque, an eatery and gardens. The current chamber being used by the 275 MPs, according to Sir David Adjaye who designed the new chamber, will be converted into a conference centre.

The Parliamentary Service Board has already received the architectural model for the new chamber.

Since the news hit the media space, Ghanaians have expressed concerns and kicked against it.

Whereas some Ghanaians described the move as a misplaced priority, other said they were shocked that Parliament would spend $200 million for a new chamber rather than channelling that money into addressing the development challenges in their various communities and constituencies.

To register their displeasure, a new campaign with the hashtag #DropthatChamber# has been launched on social media with some groups planning to embark on a demonstration to kick against the new chamber.

Parliament decision

In his view, Mr Amekah said instead of Parliament to focus on using their power to support any initiative that would further create comfort for them, they must rather take decisions on issues that would benefit the ordinary Ghanaian.

Already, he said, the seat of parliamentarians “is seen as a comfort and luxury because they are in a better position than many Ghanaians if not all, so why further spend more money to enlarge it”?

Mr Amekah said the time had come where Ghanaians would not sit down and allow the people they voted into power to take them for a ride, indicating that the media campaign against the new chamber was good because it would force the leaders to do the right thing.

“The LPG is in support of Ghanaians and will, therefore, not support any new chamber for Parliament,” he added