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Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarak has disagreed with a proposition by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumama Kingsford Bagbin that chiefs and traditional rulers must be nominated as Members of Parliament(MPs).
He suggested instead that representatives of critical sectors of the economy should be considered in such a proposition.
“It’s a terrible idea to nominate chiefs and traditional rulers as MPs. Instead of nominating Chiefs and traditional rulers as proposed by the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, we should look at having representatives from critical sectors of our economy”, he said in an article copied to MyNewsGh.com.
Read the full article below;
It’s Disastrous To Appoint Chiefs To Parliament.
We are at a point in our country’s history where some amendments need to be made to our constitution. One such area that needs serious consideration is the articles of our constitution governing the legislature.
It’s a terrible idea to nominate chiefs and traditional rulers as MPs. Instead of nominating Chiefs and traditional rulers as proposed by the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, we should look at having representatives from critical sectors of our economy.
I therefore propose the following.
1. We need to fix the disproportionate system. We have a situation where a constituency with a voter population of say 120,000 (Dome Kwabenya, Ashaiman, Tamale South, Odododiodio, Ketu South etc) gets the same resources as a constituency with a voter population of 18,000 or less.
For example Adaklu, Lambussie – Karni, and Daffiama / Bussie / Issa constituencies. There are several of such constituencies with voter populations under 20,000. But, they get the same Common Fund, GETFUND, NHIS, SiF, M&E, salary and allowances etc.
This is so unfair. We need to set a minimum ratio of one MP per 30,000 voters, and a maximum of one MP per 50,000 voters. The advantage that come with this is that, constituencies will be better represented. Boundaries would have to be redrafted to reflect this kind of amendment.
2. The following sectors must nominate two representatives each, one of whom must be a woman – ie one male, one female each from (I) Labour, (II) Industry and commerce (iii)Agriculture (iv) Culture, arts & education (v) Science & Technology, (vi) Youth & Sports. The Youth & Sports delegates (nominees) must be young persons between 18 and 35 years, in accordance with the National Youth policy and the African Youth Charter. Each of these sectors must have a nonpartisan panel of experts who shall vet the nominees.
3. Time table for the election of MPs must be amended to every 5 years and not more than five terms
4. Nominated Representatives are to hold office for a period not more than one term. (For the Youth & Sports representatives, no one shall nominated if the person is above the age of 34 at the time of their nomination).
5. Scrap the Council of State, and redirect the functions of the Council to committees of Parliament; or convert it into a proper upper chamber that can be held accountable.
Already chiefs are fairly represented on the Council of State. It would be redundant to nominate them as MPs.
The chieftaincy institution is one we revere and hold in high esteem. Given the partisan nature of our politics and the combative way business is conducted in parliament, I’m afraid we would reduce this revered institution to politics.
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Ghananewshome
