The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Kwetey, has advocated for constitutional reforms to separate parliamentary duties from ministerial appointments.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Kwetey expressed concerns about the growing trend of individuals contesting parliamentary seats primarily to secure ministerial positions.
Kwetey emphasized that serving the people through Parliament should be the primary motivation for legislators.
“Parliament is a means by which you want to serve your people, and so, that should be your number one thing. So, don’t come telling me that I came to Parliament and hoping that I can get ministerial appointments. Please, please, that was not part of the contract,” he said.
The NDC General Secretary stressed that ministerial appointments should be seen as a “bonus” rather than a primary motivation.
“Ministerial is a bonus. In fact, I insist that the Constitutional Review, the first thing that must be done is to decouple this business about whether you are in Parliament, you can be selected to become a government member. No, they should decouple it. So that we have genuine Parliamentarians,” Kwetey said.
Kwetey criticized the current system, saying it enables politicians to deceive voters. “You cannot use the MPship to deceive the people of this country.
Meanwhile, what you are looking for is ministerial. Focus on legislation, your heart is to legislate, go in there, legislate. That is what I will recommend the country go. The Constitutional Review must decouple the two,” he added.
Kwetey emphasized the importance of Parliament serving as a check on the executive.
“Parliament must become a means of checking government. So, this thing about disappointments, please tone down,” he concluded.