I’m disgusted by the insults that have rained on our MPs and Parliament as a whole over moves to construct a new Parliament. This has been fueled by many well-meaning individuals and groups but including, hypocritically, one group that has been instrumental right from the beginning and throughout the process to getting it to this stage: the NDC. It has been so easy to describe this as a luxury, grandiose project and mobilize public anger against it.
Parliament has been asking for a new chamber for some years now. Speaker Doe Adjaho worked on it before he left office on Jan 6, 2017. President John Mahama in his 2013 State of the Nation Address promised MPs the building and offered funding for feasibility works to be done on the new chamber.
A competitive bidding process to choose architects and contractors for the new project was done under the incumbent Speaker Mike Oquaye. The entire Parliament, led actively by both Majority and Minority Leaders, have been fully on board throughout this entire process. That they cannot deny. It has been a collective effort, involving all parties within the legislature. Now, Parliament has done all that needs to be done except two things: (1) getting the public on board (2) getting public funds allocated and released for it.
It is obvious that, Parliament, the bastion of our democratic expression, completely ignored taking on board an important constituency - the very essence of their existence, the people they represent, the general public. They failed the PR test. They had not prepared the people for this project and at a time that the people are crying for their roads to be done, for more decent and affordable homes to be built, for more drainage systems to be constructed.
This is where the problem is: budgetary timing. The bill is $200m. Can Ghana afford it? This week the President cut the sod for a $100m housing project for the military. Last week, the Minister of Finance approved funding of GHS1.5 billion for roads, with much more to come before the end of this year. This year, over $1 billion (over GHS5bn) is being spent to subsidize power supply - a consumable; some $500m spent so far. Last year, GHS1.2 billion was spent to rescue the banking sector and secure the savings of some 1.5 million depositors. Is there room to begin spending money towards the building of this new chamber? If so, how much now and how much later? This critical option appears completely lost in the debate.
The public anger is as if government (especially the legislature) is too insensitive to even consider this project in the first place. Yet, when you strip it all down, the public anger is mainly about them not seeing it as a priority project to deserve such a huge amount. Does the 2019 budget make it a priority project? No. Do we have money to get it done now? Probably not? Do we want it killed completely? I doubt that. Can we shelve it for now? Yes, we can. Can we stagger the spending in such a way that the exchequer can accommodate it? Possibly.
Emotions are running to wild and wide at the moment. But, it is important we take a break from all that and properly consider the issues. I am for shelving it now, like many of you. But, what if the breakdown of the amount to be spent is such that what will be spent this year is less than what we currently spend a month for ENI gas ($40m), for example?
What if, Parliament comes up with a plan that will stagger the funding of the development in a way that the national budget can accommodate? Are we open to sensible and viable options that won’t kill the project completely?
I am still for shelving it.
Source: Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko
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Ndc is evil, ndc is Ghana's problem Ghana hasn't got any enemy but the ndc ! they muddy the water source and come down stream to ask who did this they are very satanic! it is about time these evils ,these nemesis are sent under the the deep sea for Ghana to progress and prosper! ndc hasn't been able to tell us any good thing about Ghana only noise making and press conferences! what kind of evil people have Rawlings brought into our country! Any part of Ghana that want to secede must be allowed!
Why should it be disgusting. It insults were appropriate. We have the MPs included in the Article 71 office holders whose salaries and perks afford them comfortable living. The government underwrites car loans for them and pay the loan interests for them. Does the government do same for all other Ghanaians? And then at the end of every four years they take home over 300,000 cedis home as ESB while most Ghanaians do not have a good source of drinking water. So why wouldn't be insulted? And then they insult us with their attitude as shown by the Kade MP.
Gabby has really made sense. Those who are insulting him, either cant read or they can read but not capable of understanding. I am NDC but I like this objective write-up. It is an intellectual analysis of this impending project. Thumbs up GOB
It seems Ghanaians know the price of everything but hardly know to appreciate the vaule of anything.You see, this Architect a Ghanaian Diaspora, born by Ghanaian parents is a world renowned Architect who did the fantastic design. Indeed, his numerous works had become 'talk of the town' , so to speak, thus tourist attractions in no mean countries like the US, GB and Russia only to mention the few. I believe this Son of Ghana had wished so much to creat a terrific architectural work for his Mother- and Fatherland, Ghana. And you all agree with me his works are remarkable, contemporary, monumental and hostorical assets which shall benefit Ghana today and tomorrow. Today,people affectionately speak of Paris, London, Tokyo and New York and these Cities with their diversities and uniqueness did not fall from heaven and were not built without a cost. Please, don't let us demoralize or speak a everything down to the NDC/NPP parochial partisan and shortt-sightted interest. And all those Organisations, civil Societies and journalists who seek to get mere attention of the Government are better advised to be responsible Ghanaians. Not long a ago the Jubilee House of Ghana, the seat of Government today, in its establishment, suffered the same predicament yet it is there to stay, likewise SHS and many more to come. Is the present Chamber disabled friendly and satifies fire safty regulations? We have now the chance to make those corrections for security reasons once and for all.
sen-se-less speech
Am not surprise this coming from Gabby. His uncle is the president so he don't see anything wrong with it. So you want to tell us that without NDC Ghanaians don't know that this proposed construction of a new Parliament chamber is an idiotic decision? Your post make sick and I know someone like you don't visit our hospitals, markets,schools, etc. You travel outside for treatment. Only ***barred word*** people will support this ***barred word*** decision. K.T Hammond and Kyei Mensah Bonus you are all old evil dwarfs. ***barred word***!!!
Disgusting? Saaaa? ok! One thing about Gh politicians is that they tend to call us (citizens) name when we refuse to allow them to cheat us. ***barred word*** parliament and ministers! All they care is their comfort (free western style accommodation, SUV, houseboy, cooks, garden boys, belt hook allowance, per diem and then almighty ex gratis whiles retired police officer, teachers, nurses, etc gets nothing after 40 years of services. Greedy Bustards!, Criminals! Thugs!, Pests! ***barred word***, Robbers. Honorable my assssss! Rubbish. God go punish both NDC&NDC.
Oooooo saaa 2020 is just around the corner.Osei K Kyei Mensah and KT Hamond, your cups are full.
This thing call gabby is really full of garbage. It's very sad to hear him talk. Every thing in his mouth comes out as if it's from a sheet.....hole. "eno be him do". All of you guys in that flaggstaff house are so corrupt. The people will come out in their numbers to resist any attempt by this corrupt government to build a new chamber for the so called MPs with every civil force.our people are sick in kolebu and can not have a simple bed to sleep on for treatment. Our children are still learning under trees. Our roads are bad , people can't afford just 3 square meals a day,common ambiance we don't have. And look at our corrupt politicians talking about a non.....sense of a new chamber for their comfort. Dzimakplaoo. God go punish all of you one by one.
stu.p.id you, ma.d man. f.o.ol