The Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, has voiced strong criticism against the conduct of certain political party leaders who demand lavish gifts, such as cars and land, in exchange for allowing their members to participate in Parliamentary primaries.
Rebuking what he describes as vote buying, he underscored the urgent need to confront and rectify this challenge within the nation’s electoral framework.
Addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps in a leadership discussion on Wednesday, January 7, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu lamented the corrupt practices eroding the political landscape.
“He brings a whiskey and then you say I may get drunk. When I finish I may be hungry. So give me money. And so it’s translated into cash. If you do that, the person gets elected and he or she is fortunate for his party to win. He or she is fortunate to be made a minister or deputy minister. Some borrow from the banks to do that and others mortgage their houses to do that. So, if he wins, what do you think will happen? He needs his house back.”
The Majority leader called on political parties to engage in self-reflection and to consider abolishing such corrupt practices.
The Majority Leader further revealed that the recent revisions to the parliament’s standing orders have resulted in the establishment of a new Economic Committee.
This committee, he said, is composed of Members of Parliament who possess expertise in economics, thereby bolstering their capacity to consult with specialists.
According to him, the committee on the economy has been established to provide thorough assessments of loan agreements, looking into aspects like terms, impact, payment schedules, and overall economic implications.
He explained that, unlike the finance committee, this new body will delve deeper into these matters, even seeking input from experts to ensure well-informed decisions.
“The aim is to have well-documented, well-researched information available to guide Parliament in approving loans, holding members accountable for decisions made contrary to expert advice.”
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Source: Eric Sekyi/ATLFMNEWS
