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Noth Tongu Constituency MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa urges his fellow parliamentarians to reject the government’s loan to purchase vehicles.
Just as has been the norm in previous administrations, a loan agreement has been finalized which will see the Department of Finance make $ 28 million available to Parliament for the purchase of vehicles for the 275 legislators of Parliament.
The case has come under public criticism with a section of Ghanaians insisting that the money should be funneled elsewhere for the country’s development.
Amid the outcry, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said it was time for the old practice of using government loans to buy cars to be ended.
“We must demolish this apartheid superstructure and create new employment conditions for public officials that are more fair, transparent, justifiable and acceptable to the people who employ us.
“As Members of Parliament, let us also boldly confront and end the practice of government loans to buy vehicles from Members of Parliament,” the North Tongue MP said in a statement.
According to him, if the executive branch of government does not have the necessary resources to provide service vehicles to deputies as is the case for MMDCEs, CEOs of state institutions / public enterprises, ministers, judges, officials, security services, etc. , then MPs who need auto loans should be allowed to enter into their own private car loan agreements with banks, just as most private sector workers do.
“I sincerely hope that many fellow MPs will agree with me, so we are joining forces and calling on Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to withdraw his MP’s car loan agreement from Parliament,” he said. ‘hon. Ablakwa adds.
Find below the full statement of the deputy:
I have long been of the opinion that the entire Article 71 emoluments system urgently needs a major overhaul.
We must demolish this apartheid superstructure and create new employment conditions for public officials that are more fair, transparent, justifiable and acceptable to the people who employ us.
As members of Parliament, let us also boldly confront and stop the practice of government loans to buy vehicles from members of Parliament. If the executive branch of government does not have the resources to provide service vehicles to MPs as it does for MMDCEs, CEOs of state institutions / public enterprises, ministers, judges, civil servants , security services, etc., then MPs who need auto loans should be allowed to enter into their own auto loan agreements with banks, just as most private sector workers do. It will simply require the government to stop monthly deductions from MPs salaries so that we are free to negotiate individual car loan deals based on our salary structure, constituency terrain, and other personal preferences.
I sincerely hope that many fellow MPs will agree with me, so we join forces and call on Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to withdraw his MP’s car loan deal from Parliament. Members of Parliament were deliberately thrown under the bus and subjected to undue unnecessary stigma.
Fortunately, Rt. Hon. President Bagbin has long advocated for a uniform service vehicle policy in the public sphere that does not distinguish between ministers, MMDCEs, CEOs, judges and MPs. I firmly believe that we can count on his support in the pursuit of this mission.
Careful thought is needed on how long can the political class continue to stoke the anger of the masses beyond the boiling point? We must not underestimate the serious revulsion of the people and its volcanic consequences on the stability and sustainability of our democracy.
It is time to embrace a whole new and sincere paradigm.
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