NDC's lean government could leave many MPs redundant in Parliament – Afenyo-Markin

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, outgoing Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu has expressed concerns about the challenges NDC MPs will face in the 9th Parliament.

According to him, with the party’s intention to reduce the size of government to 60 ministers, many MPs may be left without additional responsibilities beyond their parliamentary duties.

In an interview on JoyNews, Afenyo-Markin explained that about 35-40 NDC MPs will become ministers and deputy ministers, leaving around 140 MPs without ministerial appointments.

He believes this will lead to frustrations as MPs contend with constituency demands without the necessary financial resources.

Afenyo-Markin drew from his own experience, noting that a similar situation affected the NPP government. He warned that the NDC’s decision could weaken their ability to function effectively in Parliament despite their majority.

“NDC has an overwhelming majority in Parliament. They have promised a lean government. I can foresee a lot of their MPs being redundant. They promised 60 ministers, and out of that, some will have to come from Parliament because of the constitutional custom.

“So they are going to have about 35 or a maximum of 40 MPs who will be ministers and deputy ministers. If you take that out of their over 170 seats, they will have 140 MPs who will be redundant in Parliament, and all they would have to do is come to Parliament to do YEEYE.

“These MPs will have demands from their constituents and will be expected to go to their constituencies. The money will not be there because only a few have had ministerial appointments, and that is where their wars will start.”