The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has underscored the need for the establishment of offices for all Members of Parliament (MPs) in their constituencies to address the needs of their constituents.
He said MPs must have offices and staff that would support and assist them to perform their duties.
“Most MPs are professionals, yet, have no time to read the voluminous documents due to the pressure on them hence, need staff that will go through documents, summarise and break them into simple language for them as being done in every Parliament in the world,” Mr Bagbin noted.
He made this known when he paid a courtesy call on Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, to inform him about a post budget workshop for MPs in Ho which
will enable them share their views on the Budget Statement and Economic Policy presented in Parliament on November 17.
Mr Bagbin described it as “undemocratic” circumstances where anyone looking for an MP had to go to their private homes, and planned to strengthen Parliament to be able to call the Executive to always respond to the needs of the people.
According to him, Parliament had the authority and power to call the Executive to account for each pound, dollar, and cedi they were given to spend, and it is Parliament that passes laws on taxes adding that, “if we do not pass a law on taxes, the Executive cannot go to the people to collect tax.”
He said Parliament would do its best to create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and flourish and commended the peaceful nature of the region as well as the receptive and inclusive nature of the people of the region, describing it as their strength.
Mr Bagbin disclosed that the Parliamentary Service Board has proposed two per cent of total national revenue collected be allocated to Parliament next year to ensure the Legislature was adequately resourced to fund its work since it had been fighting for it for some time.
“There are three arms of government – the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary are equal arms of government and must be treated as such.It is important for the Legislature to carry out its work independently in interest of the people and also to continue to attract persons with right calibre to become legislators.
“The 2022 budget statement and financial policy should receive requisite scrutiny to prevent any possible overspending by the Executive and post budget workshop is to prepare Members of Parliament ahead of the debate on statement and approval of appropriation,” Mr Bagbin intimated. -GNA
