Majority Leader Justifies 450-Seater New Parliamentary Chamber

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Majority Leader, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu says Parliamentarians need a new chamber to enable them carry out their duties effectively.

Speaking on Okay FM’s ‘Ade Akye Abia’ programme, he described arguments by some members of the house that Ghanaians should be provided with basic amenities before erection of the new chamber as populace argument.

He added that the decision to have a new chamber was borne out of a number of reasons which will positively affect the development of parliament.

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu constitution, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has spoken against Parliament’s decision to construct a new chamber. He thinks it is a bad idea.

In a comment posted on his facebook page, he claims the amount of money involved can be used ‘to beef up research staff of MPs.

Member of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Kumbungu constituency, Ras Mubarak has expressed disgust about the decision.

According to him, it is a misplaced priority and that government should focus his attention to providing basic amenities for the people of Ghana.

Speaker Unveils Project

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye, has unveiled the design of the New Parliamentary Chamber Block.

The unveiling was done during a courtesy call paid by a delegation from the Architectural Firm – Adjaye & Associates.

In attendance, were the Leadership of the House, some members of the Board, the Clerk and other Principal Directors of the Parliamentary Service.

Mr. David Adjaye, an architect who designed the project indicated that the concept of the archetype was inspired by the Akan saying, “Ti kro nko agyina”, literally meaning, “two heads are better than one.”

“This key concept is one that depicts the idea of Ghanaian democracy, where Parliament represents a body with various members interlocked in decision making,” he said.

“However, the monumental project is planned to be futuristic and one that will stand the test of time and for posterity,” he asserted.

The new Chamber, with a sitting capacity of about 450 Members of Parliament, would house other facilities including diplomatic offices, a library, a museum, a church, a mosque, eateries, press conference rooms, galleries, a car park, an upper gallery garden, a post office and other facilities to complete the Parliamentary enclave.

The project which is estimated to cost 200 million dollars is expected to start next year.

 

CREDIT: Peacefmonline.com