A book which tells the story of Members of Parliament after service in the legislature has been launched.
Titled ‘Life After Parliament: My Personal Experiences’, the book chronicles the challenges of the lawmaker and how the work of the MP is misunderstood and seeks to answer questions on the perception about MPs..
Authored by a three-term Member of Parliament for the then Hohoe South Constituency, KosiKedem, the book answers questions like are MPs corrupt? Why do they lie to their constituents? Why has Parliament surrendered its constitutional powers and sold its birthright to the executive? Are MPs paid lavishly? Why former MPs can’t be employed amongst others.
At the launch of the book at the Foyer of Parliament in Accra on Thursday, MrKedem said there was the need for policies to give MPs a deserving life after their service to the country.
“With the benefit of hindsight and considering the plight of MPs, I suggest, strongly, that Parliament should institute a pension scheme for MPs without delay.
“The need for a pension scheme is obvious and imperative. In fact, it is long overdue,” he urged.
For liaison and facilitation purposes, MrKedem, a former Board Chair of the Ghana Library Authority, proposed that a desk be established in the Clerk’s office for former MPs affairs.
“Former MPs have varied qualifications and practical experiences in parliamentary work and governance. They are a reservoir of experience and knowledge in parliament affairs and politics.
“Can Parliament involve them more in mentoring and organising orientation courses, seminars and workshops for new MPs and staff of Parliament?” He asked.
To him, if the above and many others were done, former MPs would remain relevant to the course of Parliament and the country at large whilst they live meaningful life after service to the country.
Previewing the book, a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Democratic Governance, DrKwasi Jonah, said the book was easy to read, well structured, self-explanatory and tells its own story.
Describing the book as a must read for all who are interested in democracy, Dr Jonah said the book is one which vividly tells the life former MPs live at the blind side of the public and addresses the many misconceptions about MPs.
The first copy was bought by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
