Member of Parliament for Bekwai, Joseph Osei-Owusu has shared his opinion on why some politicians are desperate to occupy parliamentary seats.
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament in an interview with Keminni Amanor on TV3, explained that the belief that Members of Parliament receive better remunerations is influencing more people to contest parliamentary seats.
Mr Osei-Owusu said in contrast, the situation is not as perceived. He stressed that being an MP is “the least attractive of all opportunities” politicians could come across.
“I have been wondering myself. I came also from that background. I started politics from the very bottom…There are times that people believe that probably one will be better remunerated as an MP, but when you go in you find that it is the least attractive of all the opportunities…When you’re an MP, the same resource you take care of yourself, your driver and the rest of your constituency,” the Legislator said on Saturday, January 27 during the NPP primaries.
However, the Bekwai MP believes that despite the challenges that comes with the position of MP, lawmakers must not discourage others who desire to occupy parliamentary seats.
“But if you’re a leader you don’t complain, you encourage people to go so not many people know the challenges of being an MP. They find it attractive, of course you will always be among the first people to be identified in public place as an MP and some find that very attractive probably one of the reasons why many people want to take up parliamentary seat,” he added.
The Controller and Accountant General, Kwasi Aning-Bosompem vowed not resign from his position and still contested in the NPP parliamentary primaries.
With the exit of 18 NPP MPs, new faces are expected to assume office on January 7, 2025 when they will be sworn-in.