News:
May 5, 2011
Minority Leader and NPP Member of Parliament for Suame, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has called for a review of the party’s constitutional provisions on the election of Parliamentary candidates.
Mr. Mensah Bonsu says the current constitution that gives the mandate to delegates to choose a candidate is quite laudable, but needs more review to ensure that performing parliamentarians are maintained in the house for effective work.
He was speaking with Adom News about the just ended NPP parliamentary primaries in which some incumbent MPs who are very vocal lost their seats.
Mr. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, who has been in Parliament since 1997 argued that if the party continues to lose experienced MPs it affects the effective discharging of duties in the house.
He quoted Article 78 clause two to buttress his point that since the president nominates more MPs for ministerial position, it is prudent to get a high caliber of people for such positions.
Clause 1 says Ministers of State shall be appointed by the President with the prior approval of Parliament from among members of Parliament or persons qualified to be elected as members of Parliament, except that the majority of Ministers of State shall be appointed from among members of Parliament.
(2) The President shall appoint such number of Ministers of State as may be necessary for the efficient running of the State.
Mr. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu stressed that the longest serving NPP MPs in the house have been reduced to nine out of which five have decided not to contest again, leaving behind four out of which MP for Ahafo Ano South MP, Stephen Balado Manu lost.
The remaining three longest serving MPs are Mr. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Dr. Richard Anane and Papa Owusu Ankomah.
Source: Adom FM