News:
July 3, 2021
Member of Parliament for Ahanta West, Ebenezer Kojo Kum said for some reason there seems to be lack of definition on the role of MP and MMDCEs.
He was reacting to the never-ending debate on the distinguished roles of a Member of Parliament, and that of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) with particular respect to development.
According to him, most Ghanaians are unclear in their mind on the role of these two constitutional creatures, and the process of getting MMDCEs elected even raises more confusing issues.
, as the outcome is known to Ghanaians.
In an interview, he pointed out that in his first term as an MP, he got a call from his constituents, because the lights had gone off in the constituency so he had to call the district director of ECG to deal with the problem.
“So clearly the individual who called feels his interface with the MP is more than that of the MMDCEs despite the fact that the MMDCEs are in the constituency or district. These are some of the things we need to talk about”.
He further pointed out that the way MPs campaign is part of the problem. “We are legislators first and we are not precluded from going to lobby for things for our constituencies”.
In addition, when it comes to the day-to-day butter issue in the constituencies, he noted that they are purely under the jurisdiction of the MMDCEs, “but most of the times our campaign we create the impression that some of these responsibilities are part of our legislative work”.
And added that there is the need to do a little more education, and as a country there should be an understanding that ones the country starts electing MMDCEs, then the issue of development would take root in the various Assemblies.
Also, a second look at the 1992 Republican Constitution, on whether MPs should become Ministers as it has its own good and bad sides, the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs noted that as a country we should come to the table and take a decision on this matter.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com