New Chamber For Parliament ‘Disrespectful’ – Sarkodie

Artiste of the Decade at the 2019 edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, Sarkodie, has criticized plans by government to build a new 450-seater chamber for Parliament, saying the idea is disrespectful to the good people of Ghana.

”If all these potholes on the motorway and other roads in Ghana causing accidents can be overlooked to raise $200 million for a chamber, then y’all know the kinda people we choose to be in power. Every project should target the betterment of the people first.” he stated on Twitter.

A design for the new edifice was unveiled by the Speaker, Mike Ocquaye, during a courtesy call on him by architect David Adjaye.

Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, explaining the reason for the edifice, has said the space in the current chamber no longer meets the purposes of the House.

“Even now, we have more than 60 non-MP ministers and deputy ministers. On occasions that they are required to be in the chamber…even sometimes DCEs may be required to be in the chamber to be witnesses for one thing or the other, so we would have to provide adequate space.

“But now, when all members are in the chamber and ministers appear, some have to stand, which is not the best so it is the reason for the new edifice,” he said.

But Sarkodie is unhappy with the decision saying “No one is free till we all are…”.

According to him, ”Politicians will always be the same till the people change and become one, putting this whole NDC-NPP on the side and tackle issues together ”.

A number of Ghanaians are not happy over the decision. Some groups have already started gathering signatures for an online petition with a view to stopping the construction of the new chamber.