Takoradi MP Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah Calls for Stronger Parliament, Revenue Focus, and Protection of MPs’ Welfare on World Parliamentarianism Day

Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Member of Parliament for Takoradi and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee, has called for a stronger Legislature, a shift toward revenue generation, and better protection of the welfare of Parliamentarians as Ghana marks World Parliamentarianism Day.

Contributing to a statement on the floor of the House, Hon. Darko-Mensah said democracy cannot thrive without robust Parliaments and urged MPs to deliver tangible “democratic dividends” to their constituents.

*Parliament as the bedrock of democracy*

“Mr. Speaker without Parliaments democracies don’t exist,” he stated. He traced Ghana’s democratic roots to traditional governance, noting that in chiefs’ palaces “virtually every member of the institution is given the opportunity to speak before the decision... are taken.”

He likened it to Parliament’s practice: “Mr. Speaker in our house here before you give direction... you virtually listen to all of us. And when you believe that there’s been consensus you ask that we put it to a vote.”

Referring to Chapter Five of the 1992 Constitution, he said human rights provisions were included “to make sure that our democracy can survive because without human rights dignity... our people cannot look to some future that is brighter.”

*Focus on revenue, jobs and entrepreneurship*

The Takoradi MP said Ghanaians expect results from democracy beyond politics. “Democracy is not only about politics it is also about the dividends that our people get... everybody looks up to Parliaments and Parliamentarians to deliver the goods and the dividends in their small communities.”

He urged a change in parliamentary discourse from expenditure to productivity. “Most of the time some of the discussions that we do here in this Chamber is about expenditures. I think that it is time we recenter on revenue generation, employment, entrepreneurship, things that can position our people for living a dignified life.”

He questioned current outcomes: “People go to school, they can’t get jobs, they can’t work for themselves. What have we done? When people work in poor conditions what have we done as MPs?”

He also proposed budget reforms to ensure equity. “I believe that it is time that even the budget of this country should be relooked at in creating proper quotas for each region before we just share the rest.”