Concerns about overlapping political roles and weakened accountability have resurfaced following public support from Dr. Nii Moi Thompson for proposals to bar Members of Parliament from serving as ministers.
Dr. Thompson, who is Senior Advisor to the President on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), said the current arrangement—where MPs double as ministers—has created structural problems within government.
The proposal, contained in recommendations by the Constitution Review Commission (CRC), seeks to draw a firm line between the Executive and Parliament. According to the CRC, preventing MPs from holding ministerial appointments would strengthen Parliament’s ability to independently scrutinise government actions and reduce conflicts of interest.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View in an interview with Bernard Avle on Wednesday, January 7, Dr. Thompson said his support for the proposal is grounded in real governance challenges he has observed over the years.
“I agree with it because it creates a lot of issues,” he said, describing the existing system as unsustainable.
He pointed to cases where individuals were stretched across multiple demanding roles at the same time, undermining efficiency and effectiveness.
“There was a situation where someone was an MP, a minister, a pastor and possibly even a board member. They were overwhelmed by all these responsibilities,” he explained.
According to Dr. Thompson, such role congestion does not only affect individuals but also weakens institutional performance across government.
He stressed that addressing these overlaps would help resolve persistent inefficiencies within the public sector and unlock better governance outcomes.
“We have encountered numerous inefficiencies in government. If we deal with them properly, it opens up space for us to do so many important things,” he added.
Dr. Thompson’s endorsement adds weight to ongoing national conversations around constitutional reforms aimed at improving accountability, strengthening oversight, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
