I'm Sad For Ghana; 450-seater New Parliamentary Chamber Outrageous - Ras Mubarak
Member of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Kumbungu constituency, Ras Mubarak has expressed disgust about Parliament's decision to build a 450-seater new Parliament Chamber for Members of Parliament.
According to him, it is a misplaced priority and that government should focus his attention to providing basic amenities for the people of Ghana.
Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he likened Ghana's Parliament to the Parliament of the Untied Kingdom where they have over 650 members of Parliament but they are able to manage their small chamber.
"You sometimes have over 240 British parliamentarians who will be standing during the period parliament is in session . . . So why are we worrying ourselves over nothing?" he asked.
"Ghanaians in rural areas need basic amenities, so the money used for a new parliament can be used to provide those amenities for them," he added.
Watch interview below
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.
“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.
Commenting on the sitting capacity of the model New Chamber Block, the Speaker of Parliament clarified that the 450 seater Chamber did not necessarily mean that the number of Members of Parliament would be increased.
“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.
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