Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Member of Parliament for Effutu, has forecasted significant changes for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the party aims to establish a lean government. Apexnewsgh reports
With the NDC currently holding a commanding majority in Parliament, Afenyo-Markin believes that many MPs could find themselves sidelined due to the party’s commitment to a reduced cabinet size.
The NDC has publicly pledged to operate with just 60 ministers, consisting of both full and deputy positions. Afenyo-Markin estimates that this could lead to around 35 to 40 MPs being appointed to ministerial roles. This leaves approximately 140 of their over 170 Members of Parliament facing the prospect of becoming largely irrelevant in legislative functions, as they may not occupy the roles they had initially anticipated.
Speaking on JoyNews, Afenyo-Markin expressed concern, stating, “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.” His comments underline the potential challenges these MPs may encounter as they continue to manage their constituencies with limited resources.
He highlighted the inevitable tensions that could arise from this situation, noting that these MPs will still have the demands of their constituents but might struggle to address them adequately. “The money will not be there because only a few will have ministerial appointments, and that is where their struggles will begin,” he added.
Afenyo-Markin recalled the difficulties experienced by the previous administration, which faced challenges in keeping its members present in the Parliamentary chamber. “It got to a point where it was very difficult to get our members into the chamber. Very soon I will tell their majority leader to look behind him; though they have 170-plus, their MPs might not be present,” he warned.
As the NDC moves forward with its plans, the implications for its MPs and their effectiveness in Parliament remain to be seen, with Afenyo-Markin’s assertions raising important questions about the party’s governance strategies and the impact on its representatives.
Source: Apexnewsgh reports
