The Majority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has said that, he does not believe in Members of Parliament doubling as ministers of state.
According to Effutu legislator in an interview with Bernard Avle on Accra based Citi Tv, he opined that Members of Parliament have a lot of work to be done in their various constituencies and the chambers, however, doubling as minister of state gives some little time to do legislative work.
“I don’t believe in an MP becoming a minister. I think that any future constitutional review creates space for the president to get his full executive authority, and get his ministers. MPs stay in parliament to do parliamentary business. I think that we create some inefficiencies in government by allowing that to happen. But it’s constitutional where the president is even enjoined to get more than 50% of his ministers to draw them from parliament. It’s a problem. Because the minister may be busy and would have to still come to parliament. And if you check the records, only a few ministers, get time for legislative work. Because they are committed to government’s policy implementation”, he said.
Mr. Afenyo-Markins alleged that, the 8th parliament per his assessment has been the best, thus, he believes in full separation of powers.
“There’s work to be done but the 8th parliament per my assessment has been the best so far. In terms of oversight, in terms of parliament assertiveness. And by the way, I am one of those who believe that we should have a full separation of powers”, he added.
Source:myrepubliconline