Catholic Bishops condemn China chairs in Parliament

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has condemned the leadership of Parliament for importing chairs from China to refurbish the Lawmaking Chamber.

The Bishops observed that such practice is an affront to the made-in-Ghana campaign and smacks of lack of confidence in the locals.

“We join our voices to those of the many Ghanaians who disapprove of the importation of furniture from China for our Parliament when made-in-Ghana furniture could have been patronised to boost the furniture industry and the economy as a whole,” a communiqué at the end of their meeting in Accra, Saturday said.

“Economic practices such as these, impact negatively on most families, leading to despair, poverty, sense of abandonment and marginalization. They threaten the stability of families making it difficult for them to actually live out their expectations as Christian families,” the communiqué signed by Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, Bishop of Konongo-Mampong and President, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference stated.

The lawmaking body has come under intense public backlash for sidelining local woodworkers while refurbishing the Chamber.

The Legislature imported most of its furniture from China and is in the process of importing more from Italy and other countries for the Job 600 project – the edifice that will serve as offices for Members of Parliament and their researchers.