Sunyani residents express varied views about MPs' salaries

Sunyani, Feb. 15, GNA - Some residents of Sunyani have expressed have said the proposed increment of salaries for Members of Parliament from GHC3, 300.00 to between GH C7, 000 and GHC8, 000 is on the high side.

They told the GNA in interviews that though their current salary was on the low side, the proposed increment was too high.

The interviewees said the figure could be slightly raised taking into account the harsh socio-economic conditions of the country.

"It's not a bad idea to increase their pay because prices of things are always rising but the 400 per cent increase is too much", Daniel Gidi, sales representative of Shekinnah Enterprise, said.

He said an increment was important to motivate the MPs to enable them to stay focused on their duties.

"Sometimes we need to look at the sacrifices they make. The picture is different when you are not in the seat", Mr Gidi said. Another man who pleaded to speak on condition of anonymity stated that the MPS' demand 93is unacceptable" and there was a critical need to lo= ok at the implications of the increment in the labour sector.

"When their demand for pay rise is granted it can trigger concerns from the labour front as workers will also agitate for an increment in salaries. The MP's job is supposed to be sacrificial. Most of them operate private businesses alongside their duties as parliamentarians. Jesus Christ didn't come to lord it over the people. He came to serve them", he stated. He appealed to authorities to take a careful look at the current condition of the national economy as against the increment.

Mr. Adam Mohammed, Secretary of the Sunyani East Constituency branch of the National Democratic Congress, said he supported a slight increase in the salaries of MPs since they had huge responsibilities but the GHC 7,000 was too high.

"Almost every funeral that takes place in the constituency we are supposed to send a representative and almost every week we are invited to several funerals", he added.

He stressed the need for the continued education of Ghanaians about th= e work of MPs since lots of constituency members usually thronged the constituency office for financial benefits and payment of school fees for their children.

"We know there are huge debts hanging around the neck of some state institutions like the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR). If we pay these huge salarie= s for all the 230 Parliamentarians where shall we find money to settle TOR'= s debt? They are only seeking for their selfish interests and this will not augur well for national development", he said.

Mr. Alfred Ofori Annye, NPP Regional Secretary, said he fully supporte= d the idea to increase their pay as it would serve as a motivation for them t= o work well. He said their offices were riddled with invitations to funerals that the MPs are obliged to attend every week.

"We receive at least nine funeral invitations every week and most of the time it is very difficult to raise money for these occasions. At certain times we are even told to pay for the casket of the deceased and this makes the work of an MP difficult," he said.

He appealed to the MPs to bring out policy brochures that would spell out their real work to be given to the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) to help sensitize the public about their functions and duties.

Nana Kweku Fosu, Area One Mmrantehene, also supported a slight adjustment of the MPs' pay upwards but not in the region of GHC7, 000 or GHC8, 000 as being demanded.