Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has stressed the urgent need to redefine the expectations of legislators while calling for reforms in Ghana’s parliamentary vetting process and stronger economic interventions to ease public burdens.
Speaking on Prime Morning, Mr. Awuah revealed that legislators face heavy financial and social demands, which he described as “overbearing” and far beyond their constitutional duties.
“I love to be in the constituency every two weeks, attending funerals, listening to the concerns of the people, and assisting them where I can. But the monetary demands are sometimes just overwhelming. Where I can help, I do. Where I cannot, I explain. Unfortunately, there is a misconception that MPs have unlimited access to money, and that is not true,” he said.
According to him, this misconception could discourage capable individuals from entering politics. “Unless we restrain ourselves, we risk losing good people from politics. The perception that MPs must meet every personal demand is unsustainable. We need to educate the public to understand the real responsibilities of parliamentarians.”
The legislator linked the problem to unemployment and lack of opportunities, stressing that if jobs and basic services were available, constituents would not turn to MPs for personal financial support.
Highlighting his constituency work, Mr. Awuah cited annual health screenings he has spearheaded, especially for eye conditions. Over the years, more than 1,000 people have been screened, with at least 80 undergoing cataract surgeries.
On constitutional matters, he raised concerns over the credibility of parliamentary vetting of ministerial nominees, describing the process as overly partisan. “Parliament is losing its appreciation of the significance of the Appointments Committee. It is supposed to serve as the first accountability mechanism, but with the ruling party dominating, the process often lacks fairness,” he cautioned.
He suggested amendments to Parliament’s standing orders to make the process more rigorous and impartial. “We need effective interviews that test competency, honesty, and capacity. Otherwise, we risk entrusting state resources to people who may not be fit for the job.”
Mr. Awuah also questioned the high costs of Ghana’s electoral system, proposing constitutional changes to reduce spending. He argued that by-elections following an MP’s death could be avoided if political parties were allowed to replace the candidate directly.
On the broader issue of political financing, he warned against allowing wealth to determine leadership. “Politics is expensive everywhere. But it should not be about who is rich. It should be about who has the intellectual and practical ability to provide solutions.”
Concluding, the Manhyia South MP emphasized that Ghana’s biggest challenge is economic recovery. “We need to work hard to turn around the fortunes of this country. If we create jobs and opportunities, the burdens on MPs and other political leaders will reduce significantly. Otherwise, demands will persist, and corruption will fester.”
