Just days after parliamentarians received heavy criticism for importing furniture from China to refurbish their chamber, it has emerged that Parliament is importing more from Italy for their offices.
Local furniture companies have criticized government for ignoring them to import what they describe as “inferior” chairs and tables from China.
The speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho has revealed that “some Members of Leadership and MPs as well as Members of the Technical Team traveled to Italy to inspect and confirm various facilities and units of furniture.”
This was contained in his opening remarks when Parliament reconvened on Tuesday.
The Speaker of Parliament said six MPs traveled to inspect the furniture “prior to their being shipped to Ghana.”
The MPs are Hajia Mary Boforo (Deputy Majority Whip), Irene Naa – Torshie Addo (Deputy Minority Whip) and Emmanuel Bdzrah, MP for Ho West.
The rest are David Oppon Kusi, MP for Ofoase-Ayirebi Constituency, Kofi Safo-Duodu, and Ebenezer Dzietror.
Some Minority Members of Parliament have criticised the leadership of the House for ignoring President Mahama’s campaign to promote made-in-Ghana goods.
Responding to the criticism, leadership of Parliament has explained that it imported furniture from China because it was impossible for a local company to produce the over 300 furniture pieces within a limited time.
The Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Alfred Kwame Agbesi stressed that Parliament in no way ignored the President’s admonishment to patronize made in Ghana products.
“We needed over 300 chairs and 300 tables before resuming sitting and now which furniture company in Ghana would have given us this quantity of furniture within this short time?” he asked.
Meanwhile Trade and Industry Minister, Ekow Spio Gabrah on Thursday launched a Made-in-Ghana Fair on Thursday in Accra.
Citifmonline.com