This article is closed for comments.
Dr Akoto Osei, well said. I know you are going to be attacked for this candid suggestion because of the 'stomach' aspect of Ghana politics. Thank you, Sir.
TWEAAAAHH. Do we even need any MP in Ghana now. Even if we need, it should not be more than two from each region. What do they do apart from taking bribes? Did I say this? Ask Gbagbin.
I assumed Dr Akoto Osei is a serious Economist and politician but to suggest that Ghana should have 100 MPs is an indication that he is to the contrary. There is no doubt that Ghana's public sector wage bill, including the Le ...
read full comment
Kofi, you are rather not getting it. The guy is simply saying that the present 275 number of MPs is just way too mamy as you yourself have also suggested. Whats your problem?
For me l believe even 30 MP's is too much for Ghana if we really want to build Ghana. What are they doing at all at the parliament? They are there to steal money to look after themselves and their family. They must go and loo ...
read full comment
Kofi, it's an insult to impugn Dr. Osei's professional integrity as far as his suggestion is concerned.You owe him an apology.Don't forget he is not just an economist but also a member of parliament - the body for which he is ...
read full comment
this govt is soaked in corruption and has compromised our future with their shady deals with the Chinese . you talk of humble beginnings only to support those who destroy any chances we have at a better future for our childre ...
read full comment
Why do we need chiefs on government payroll? Perhaps that is why they have become lazy. The government should consider cutting them off government payroll.
Paying the chiefs is just a matter of politics. Too many so called leaders.
show that you (OSEI) are not playing politics and RESIGN- OR SHUT UP
it is a very good suggestion. but to me if they are to cut down on the no. of mps in the house, i think AMINU SALIFU of wa east should be the one to go first. because how can a full mp failed so badly to express himself in th ...
read full comment
Dr Osei Akoto has been bold to stick his neck out for the obvious. One would have thought that we have some serious discussion on this issue. We all know, and have known how the state's coffers is been ripped by the balloonin ...
read full comment
Well taken.
Thanks for your time and ideas.
Funny! What positive things are MPs doing in Ghana except take bribes.
We don't even need 50 MPs, taking for granted they've not been up to any purpose or use until now. They are just a drain, on the economy.
The functio ...
read full comment
I am NDC supporter but this man is saying a sensible thing lets us always put politics behind us and deal with serious issues my brothers.
That is the only way we can forge ahead.
The MPs constitute a serious pressure on the economy in 3 ways:
First, their number is redundant. They are just too costly for our little economy that can't pay teachers and othe ...
read full comment
Haruna, just listen to yourself. Was Dr. Osei Akoto not an MP when Kuffour created more constituencies and did he say? Did he get idea only when NDC is in power and what constituencies does he want them to be merged or remove ...
read full comment
And so what if he was an MP then? Did we have the single spine salary structure during Kufuor's time? Why can't some of you just stop this unproductive arguments and for one just accept Dr Akoto has made a good call? Are we t ...
read full comment
You are right it's politics as usual,while need to be smart at governance we also need to stop this back door activities that are eating too deep into our economy,for the boys and girls and shoddy contracts given to favourite ...
read full comment
Hire executive assistants...with no government housing and less pay...gh ministers don't need deputies....anyway that's my call...open to hear other opinions....boycott vondafone..one!
That's a good perspective.
The problem with Ghana is lack of commonsense, leadership, bribery, corruption and too much talk and nothing been done. Everybody goes to the radio station and talk and we think that is democracy. The legislature and executiv ...
read full comment
At least some people have started thinking. This suggestion is laudable. For Me, 60 MP's is alright. Then 25 ministers and deputies, 20 regional ministers and deputies and each district assembly and municipal assembly having ...
read full comment
Dr Osei Akoto has his accessment on the over staffed Ministers. It is dutiful to set a committee to look into it and cut down as necessary and effective. Dr. Akoto has made a good start for a positive debate on the issue at h ...
read full comment
Listen to an ex-PNDC operative bureaucrat; any wonder why we are in a mess?
We are having pple with the thinking cup on in Ghana. Kudos, Dr. Akoto Osei. I would like you to give up your seat and encourage others also to do likewise even in the absence of a constitutional backing. Thanks. While the la ...
read full comment
dear Kofi Atta I also hold the view that 275 parliamentarians is too much much for Ghana.
In the colonial days we did not have the kind of technologhy that we have today. Do you hear of telegram now? Not even fax !
The agen ...
read full comment
Mr Ata, what is trivial about what Dr Akoto has said? Your argument that Ghana had more than 100 MPs back in 1957 does not address the problem we are faced with. If Ghana had more than 100 MPs back in 1957 that was probably a ...
read full comment
Mr. Akoto should take the lead by exiting parliament. After he has done tht will hv the audacity to tell some of whom he thinks are not needed to follow suit.
USA IS 300 MILLION PEOPLE WITH LESS THAN 200 MPS . WITH ONY 24 MILLION PEOPLE HOW CAN WE HAVE SUCH A LARGE MPS. CUT IT DOWN, CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME.
Kofi, as a matter of fact you probably need to know that the June or July 1956 general election which ushered in Ghana's independence in March 1957 had 84 MPs, It was later when another 20 women were appointed by the CPP that ...
read full comment
What is your point in plaine english?
I am with you on this one, two (2) MPs from each region, for a total of twenty (20), is perfect for Ghana.
Ghana seriously need absolute Revolution candidly.
Thank you Mr Osei,I have been thinking of this all this while.How could a poor country faced with myriads of problems have 275 MPs?I hope the NPP which is often very good in opposition can change this when they win power.
It is only Nana Addo who can do that. Simply because Nana does not need anything on this planet except a good name. Therefore, let us support him to come to Power in 2016. People like Atuguba and Kwadwo Afari Gyan will not ha ...
read full comment
is he God??? why this wishful thinking, you talk as if Ghana's problems started yesterday!
WHERE WERE YOU STUPID AKOTO DURING KUFOUR'S ERA WHERE U EVEN ADDED MORE MPS.WHY DIDN'T U SUGGEST TO PREZ. KUFOUR TO REDUCE THE MPS SIZE IF IT WAS THAT EASY.EVEN THAT SIZE WHAT WORK DID U PEOPLE DO?"KWASIATO!"
Kuffour didn't have a problem paying workers. "Nyansato"
NDC came to power and started paying bogus judgement debts in frenzy in order to share the loot at the expense of the poor in ghana....and they pushed afari gyan to create 45 new constituencies and district assemblies....IN S ...
read full comment
WELL SAID DR OSEI OF WHAT USE ARE THESE VAST PARLIAMENTARIANS TO GHANIANS CONSIDERING THE MILLIONS THE TAKE HOME EVERY MONTH;
MPs are representatives of the people. For MPs to be effective the chiefs, assembly men and opinion leaders in the constituencies must have regular dialogue with the MPs, demand answers to problems in the constituency and ask ...
read full comment
Representing people means talk on their behalf, make laws for them and hold govt accountable by protecting the national purse on behalf of the people.
All these require brains and not numbers. honestly I would go for 50, 5 ...
read full comment
I think u need to get rid of the mask to see clearly....we talking about reducing mp's and u talking about hiring more people...if one can't speak English there is no need for him to represent anyone,even though he might b sm ...
read full comment
Mr Mask they have all those benefits that's why govt expenditure keep rising. Check it out past and present mps today are all rich. If you did'nt pass GCE O'level no government or office work for you and same applies to MPs. ...
read full comment
The fact that the public sector wage bill is and has been draining state coffers and therefore has to be culled is eminent to all. The problem as I envisage, is which government or ruling party has the balls to tackle it to r ...
read full comment
This is the best contribution so far. Well done
Sorry, only the first two paragraphs really make sense.. The latter paragraphs would definitely go to increase the very excessive expenditure the Dr. Akoto is talking about. I am therefore gently withdrawing my previous comme ...
read full comment
five mp from each of the 10 regions
Very well said but expect people who don't feel the economic difficulty we are in now to ask why now. At least some of us spoke against the creation of the additional 45 constituencies but were insulted. It serves Ghanaians ...
read full comment
at they were re end of their service they were paid 200,000 cedis each whether they were re-elected o
mahama I remember you made that payment your priority. What are you doing with advice from people like Ablaka
Who expanded the seats from 140 or so to 230. NPP did isnt it. next time remove your political lens before talking. Idiot
7 mps from each region. period.
EACH REGION SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING SALARIES OF THEIR MPs, NOT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
your idea would at least help quench the need for more mps
How many of the members of parliament can read and write proper english. Some will say this elitist by Twi, Ga , Ewe , Nzema , Dagani etc is no the medium of communication in the August house
The likes of the Tarkwa-Nsuayem MP should all be retrenched. Search through and get all those who are just serving coffee out of the house.
PART TIME JOB The Life Changers Group is a Group of Compassionate Individuals from different countries that came together t ...
read full comment
Today he says this and when the media jumps on his neck he shifts his position to another....
In any case, I also believe that Ghana's parliament needs not more 100 MP, 10 from each region.
The NDC as a party knew that trhe country did not have the resources to accommodate more M.P's and yet decided to add more to it by creating more constituencies prior to the 2012 elections. Not even the outcry of the oppositi ...
read full comment
WHEN DID U KNOW THIS?
My brother, we will move forward as a country when we learn our mistakes, hence the need to amend laws as and when necessary. Such suggestions, if it will serve the interest of the nation whould be taken in good faith, it do ...
read full comment
SMC 1& 2,AFRC,PNDC no parliament but there was governance and some amount of development
decentralization of power & management
This is sensible thinking and forward looking. Wish such persons like him get the opportunity soon to manage the affairs of this country.
IN DEED, THIS IS ONE IMPORTANT STATEMENT WE HAVE TO CONSIDER FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.THIS IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE NATION.WHY MANY PARLIAMENTARIANS? LOOK AT THE COST INVOLVED.IT'S APOLITICAL INPUT.
Shd hav suggested during Kufor's time
He says right things at wrong places….You are a member of parliament why don’t you raise it on the floor of parliament?
Why on radio? This is the sickness of some PHD degree holders called who continuously seeks cheap pu ...
read full comment
You knew all this and you guided former president Koffour to increase it and now you are talking of it. stomach politician.
Well, well, well. I think this is one of the most interesting thing that I have heard from this palm plantation thief. Honestly speaking, we don´t need most of those wannabes seating out there taking the tax payer´s money f ...
read full comment
MY BROTHER, I COULD HELP BUT TO AGREE A THOUSAND PERCENT WITH THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE HON. MP. THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT POLITICIANS CONTINUES TO CREATE MORE CONSTITUENCIES, THEREBY CREATING MORE AVENUES FOR MILKING ...
read full comment
Why didn't Dr Akoto let his NPP govt do it when it was in power? Why?
At that time the wage bill alone did not consume about 70o/o of tax revenue.
All joke aside don't we have to revisit some of our practices and see what we can do to eliminate waste and duplications. we would not go anywhere ...
read full comment
YOU SHOULD TOLD KUFOUR
GOD BLESS U FOR SEEN THE LIGHT TO TELL THE TRUTH.
I believe if we can cut the number of MPs, save some cost and use the savings to add to the District assembly common fund for development it will be better.
Lead by example. Resign and then merge your constituency with the 2 constituencies next to you. This is the only I can accept what you are saying.
Good suggestion we are paying too much for doing nothing on parliamentarians only to do their private jobs and bribes.
I wonder why a Country like Ghana,which has never achieved a balanced budget in its history is able to keep about 80Ministers,each one of them having almost everything for free.
About 700Presidential advicers,about 600,000 c ...
read full comment
i support it
I THINK THAT REDUCING OUR MPS TO 100 WILL GREATLY SAVE GHANAIANS ABOUT GHC14,700,000.00 A YEAR, AND ABOUT GHC58,800,000.00 FOR FOUR YEARS. IT IS A GOOD SUGGESTION THAT NEEDS CRITICAL ANALYSIS BY ALL SO THAT WE CAN REACH A COM ...
read full comment
Yes the doctor is Right. Ghana needs to cutdown the number of members at its 3rd house.
Why you did not ask for in numbers of MPs when you were in power?
PEOPLE DONT TAKE THIS PEOPLE SERIOUS. WHEN THEY WHERE CAMPAIGNING FOR POWER IN 2000 THEY SAID THEY WILL CUT THE NUMBER DOWN WHEN THEY CAME WHAT HAPPENED. THEY RATHERE INCREASED THE NUMBER, WAS HE NOT THERE AT THE TIME? PLEASE ...
read full comment
Stupid preacher can't u be serious for once this is a gud suggestion. Some of us who are die hard supporter of NDC even know that this is a gud a suggestion. Can't u see our party NDC is failing us ?
Can`t you see your NDC is not failing us BUT HAS ALREADY FAILED US? All is wrong with this your NDC!
The call by Dr Akoto Osei for members of parliament to be reduced to 100 is a call in the right direction and it must be critically considered with all the seriousness that it deserves because there are some MPs who have neve ...
read full comment
England has got 300 MPs look at their economy power and that of Ghana. Agreed with Dr Anthony Akoto Osei 100 MPs sounds great for Ghana economy. We can divert funds wasted on 175 MPs to Primary Health Care and Primary Educati ...
read full comment
AKOTO YOU HAVE DECLARED YOURSELF REDUNDANT.OPT OUT TO REDUCE THE NUMBER.
Japanese rice thief!! STFU!!
ELITE TRAVELS IN LEGON ACCRA IS LOOKING FOR STUDENTS AND WORKERS(BOTH GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE.
TO TRAVEL TO CANADA,AUSTRALIA UK, AND HOLLAND ON A 6 MONTH TOURIST VISA.
HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION WILL BE PROVIDED FOR A MONTH.
APPL ...
read full comment
You people must start to use your brain.Even 100 is too much that tiny country but is a good start.Let us see it goes.
Oh Doc you've made my day. What is the real and significant contricution all these numbers are making towards the growth of the econmy? I would even suggest 50 Max.
that will be a decision in the right direction
1-Abolish regional administrations and all regional ministers, just strengthen the district/municipal assemblies. Please do not give each assembly member motor bicycle, not good use of resources,
2- Not more than 150 MPs pl ...
read full comment
NO MORE DEPUTY MINISTERS. WELL SAID.
Blame Afari Gyan for creating 275 Constituencies. 100 MPs means only 100 Constituencies throughout the country. It is feasible to combine constituencies to shrink the size of the government. Go figure!!!!!!!
What is this country call Ghana? A nation of only talkers but not people who can solve their problems.
How many years has this country practice democracy? What have they got to show for it? Politics has become money mak ...
read full comment
Colleagues stop the insults and the why now argument. Whether we will accept it or not things are hard now than before. Critique the statement but almost 50 per cent of these MPs are returnees who were nobody.
Today thanks ...
read full comment
Akoto Osei please set the example by resigning your position as MP and ask that your constituency should be dissolved. Maybe you can also get a few of your colleagues to do the same. Were you not in Government when K4 incre ...
read full comment
We need only 20 MPs not 100. We are only 25 million people with 275 MPs at the moment, why?? All we we need now is 2 MPs in each region, a total of 20. Thanks.
I THINK 40 MPS IS A BETTER NUMBER BECUASE YOU DIVIDE EACH REGION INTO 4 EQUAL PARTS BY SIZE OR BY POPULATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN 4 MPS FROM EACH REGION PERIOD.
After all what do they do there apart from womanising, drinking, receiving bribes, corrupting others, cheating people, etc Even on second thought 100 is even too many.
THANK YOU DOC, THIS IS A VERY GOOD SUGGESTION. WE ARE JUST WASTING THE MEAGRE RESOURCE. CUT DOWN THE NUMBER
why do we disregard our cedi and subject it to depreciation and lost uf value. do we rraly understand the of meaning of something losing value. we shold be careful with value of the cedi or else it will go with every thing in ...
read full comment
A FOOL WILL STILL BE A FOOL. NPP GURUS HAS NOTHING GOOD FOR GHANA. COUNTRIES GIVE LOANS TO FARMERS TO FARM AND SMALL SKILL WORKERS TO BUILD ON IT. NOW LET ANY FARMER OR LOW WORKER SKILL MAN GET TO THE BANK OR TO GOV IF HE CAN ...
read full comment
275 MPs for a small country like Ghana. Ideally, we should 10-15 MPs for each region. Then district will have DCs, representatives or assemblymen
And what did he say or do when he was Finance Minister or the deputy? Useless educated people who sees things right when not in office. Bloody politicians we have in Ghana, I want a military government.
Be patriotic by being the first person to vacate your post.
Actually, our Parliament needs not more than 50 members.
if America has 435 congressmen from 50 states, how on earth should ghana has 275 in a country like one state in America.
All the deputy ministers are a waste of resources. Are they generating income to the state.
This is what the people expert from you. Keep up
So proud of u Mr Anthony A Osei. U have said it all , nothing but the truth. Too many MP's in Ghana doing nothing . They just a bunch of waste and i will lead the task dubed ' GET THE GOOD FOR NOTHING MP'S OUT ' ......
Doc, Ghana needs to trim down a lot of things not only the MPs.
To start with, the number of presidential staffers, be it NPP, NDC or CPP should be drastically cut down.
The number of Supreme Court judges in my opinion ...
read full comment
when you were in power and were increasing the seats, why not advise them,were you dazed, kwasiakwa......
He was in power and the idea did not come so he should not voice his opinion now. That is what is wrong with the country now, any self expression is interpreted using the the political and the tribal tool. Dr. Osei's suggesti ...
read full comment
This is a serious thinking and conversation that must be had but will these knuckleheads listen? No, it is not in their best interest. someone needs to listen
FOLLOWERS OF NDC LACK COMMON SENSE.WHY IS THIS PROPOSAL A PROBLEM?IS IT YOUR COCOA FARM TO GET 250 PLUS MPS?THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBERS WHO DON'T DESERVE TO BE LAW MAKERS. TWEAAA -NKASIAFO KUO
THEN U SHOULD BE OUT
Parliament as it is now should be abolished, government decentralized, Presidential powers diluted. An agreed number of elected representatives (no illiterates or convicted felons), perhaps five from each region - the total ...
read full comment
Did you dream of 100 ministers for ghana during kufour's regime or Mahama NDC regime?
Having read many of the comments,I still believe that the nimber of the MP's should be cut substancially to save tax the tax revenue and the economy of the nation as yardstick because many of the MPS are empty barrels contrib ...
read full comment
AKOTO IS USELESS MP!
Remember Dr, Osei Akoto represents a constituency with about 80 thousand people whereas some constituencies have less than 15 thousand people - like where this ex-(P)NDC operative called Kofi Atta comes from
This is what we need. Forward-thinking politicians. What does a country of less than 25 miliion people need 275 MPs for? 100 is a good number to start with.
Thank you, Sir!!!!
NPP HAD MORE THAN THAT
Why 275 MPs thats way too many for 23 million people
Thats just waste of money, what does Mr Rawlings say about that Mr.Perfect
100 MPs? That's no problem. MP for Sunyani should cover for the who of Kumasi and the MP for Manya Krobo or Osudoku should cover Kyebi, Tafo, Kukurantumi, Asamankese and Nsawam. How could Akoto Osei be so politically naïve. ...
read full comment
Dr Osei Akoto has been bold to stick his neck out for the obvious. One would have thought that we have some serious discussion on this issue. We all know, and have known how the state's coffers is been ripped by the balloonin ...
read full comment
HOWN DID DR AKOTO COME TO THE FIGURE, 100? CAN HE MAKE A BETTER POINT AS SOMEONE WITH SOME ACADEMIC REASONING INSTEAD OF HIS VAGUE STATEMENT AND HIS MAGIC FIGURE. BY ALL MEANS GHANA CAN DEBATE THE SUGGESTION BUT IT IS BECOMIN ...
read full comment
I agree with Dr. Akoto Osei. Our present economic situation does not justify 275MPs most of whom are absent from Parliament or do not make any contributions on the floor.
We have to reduce the Ministries to a maximum of 15. ...
read full comment