Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, has called for intensified civic education to correct public misconceptions about the responsibilities of MPs, which he says lead to the unfair removal of capable lawmakers.Speaking in Parliament, Mr. Opoku highlighted the persistent misunderstanding among many Ghanaians who view MPs as agents of local development rather than lawmakers.

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He attributed this misconception to inadequate civic education, which he believes fuels unrealistic expectations and contributes to high attrition rates in Parliament.“An MP’s primary responsibility is to make laws, represent the people, and provide oversight. However, the lack of civic education has created false narratives, leading to competent MPs being voted out for failing to meet development demands,” he explained.

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To address this issue, Mr. Opoku proposed that the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) be strengthened with more resources to launch nationwide campaigns clarifying MPs’ roles. He further recommended partnerships with the media and educational institutions to broaden the reach of these efforts.“An informed electorate will hold MPs accountable for their legislative duties, not unrealistic development targets,” he emphasized.

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The Mpraeso MP’s call comes amid growing concerns from legislators about excessive demands from constituents. Many MPs have raised issues about being pressured to cover personal expenses such as school fees, medical bills, and funeral costs, which they argue detracts from their core mandate.Mr.

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Opoku’s suggestions aim to realign public expectations with the constitutional role of MPs, ensuring that lawmakers are assessed based on their legislative performance rather than their ability to meet financial or developmental demands.

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