Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Majority Leader, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu says Parliamentarians need a new chamber to enable them carry out their duties effectively.
Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he described arguments by some members of the house that Ghanaians should be provided with basic amenities before erection of the new chamber as populace argument.
He added that the decision to have a new chamber was borne out of a number of reasons which will positively affect the development of parliament.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu constitution, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has spoken against Parliament's decision to construct a new chamber. He thinks it is a bad idea.
In a comment posted on his facebook page, he claims the amount of money involved can be used 'to beef up research staff of MPs.
Member of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Kumbungu constituency, Ras Mubarak has expressed disgust about the decision.
According to him, it is a misplaced priority and that government should focus his attention to providing basic amenities for the people of Ghana.
Speaker Unveils Project
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye, has unveiled the design of the New Parliamentary Chamber Block.
The unveiling was done during a courtesy call paid by a delegation from the Architectural Firm – Adjaye & Associates.
In attendance, were the Leadership of the House, some members of the Board, the Clerk and other Principal Directors of the Parliamentary Service.
Mr. David Adjaye, an architect who designed the project indicated that the concept of the archetype was inspired by the Akan saying, “Ti kro nko agyina”, literally meaning, “two heads are better than one.”
“This key concept is one that depicts the idea of Ghanaian democracy, where Parliament represents a body with various members interlocked in decision making,” he said.
“However, the monumental project is planned to be futuristic and one that will stand the test of time and for posterity,” he asserted.
The new Chamber, with a sitting capacity of about 450 Members of Parliament, would house other facilities including diplomatic offices, a library, a museum, a church, a mosque, eateries, press conference rooms, galleries, a car park, an upper gallery garden, a post office and other facilities to complete the Parliamentary enclave.
The project which is estimated to cost 200 million dollars is expected to start next year.
Listen to interview below
Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]
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Oh my God, what is happening in my dear country? We need to have a neutral force to take legal and democratic action against these good for nothing elites in our society. I mean a force which will swear to the whole country that they will not have any political affiliation and will also not be using this social platform/movement to pave a way into politics like what George Andah disgracefully did, using occupyghana as a conduit to getting into politics. This way our politicians their boot lickers and their hangers on will respect us. Folks, these people don't give a damn about us. When the questioning touched on the UK parliament having 130 parliamentarians standing when there is full session, Osei Mensah Bonsu started to philosophize. This is disgraceful. We are in dire economic times and this guy says what? Not everyone has got three square meals so what, building a new chamber is no big deal? I do not blame these people but ourselves as we have become so tribal in our politics that we are blind in support of thing that are not in our interest. These politicians know that there is a faction in the country which will support them anyway so the rest can go to helll. We also have journalists who are just political hacks only interested in bribes to suppress and confuse issues. Sefa Kayi, OB and the disgraceed Kwaku Barko in mind. We should resist this legally. We can takeover the streets and demonstrate for days on end like in Singapore and France and they will start listening. They are not hungry and destitute so they do not understand how the ordinary citizen feels.
Osei Kyei Mensa Bonsu should go to Suame and see the road network over there and if he will use such an amount in building another Parliament House?
OH GOD, PLEASE KILL ALL THESE PARLIAMENTARIANS. THEY ARE HEARTLESS, ***barred word*** AND ***barred word*** TOO. HOW ON EARTH DO YOU EVEN JUSTIFY THIS. YOU HAVE A PARLIAMENT THAT IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN THAT OF THE COUNTRY THAT GIVES YOU AID YEARLY, YOU DRIVE IN V8S, YOU LIVE FOR FREE IN GOVERNMENT APARTMENTS, AND YET THIS NATION IS THE SAME AS IT WAS 10 YEARS BACK AND IT'S GETTING WORSE. WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT IS YOUR COMFORT. DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT IS GOING IN THE COMMUNITIES IN THIS COUNTRY????? FO00LISH ***barred word*** HEADS
The majority leader is pushing for it because of his 10% of the total cost. If only our politicians will think about the welfare of Ghana first. Still thousands of Ghanaian kids study under tree and you are bent on create, look, and share. God bless Ghana.
Why don't we all just move out of the country and leave the country for the politicians? Can someone tell me what parliamentarians are doing for Ghana except blowing poor taxpayers money? Use-lesssss parliament!
God have mercy on you.
***barred word***. NPP is fast digging its own grave.