A candidate aspiring to become the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has joined the chorus of voices advocating for a change to the constitutional provision that requires most ministers to be members of parliament.

The Assin Central lawmaker believes that this specific provision has consistently weakened the effectiveness of parliament, leading to a lack of proper scrutiny of the executive branch by the legislative arm of government.

Mr Agyapong stated his position during an interview on US-based Kings Radio on September 24, saying,

“No Member of Parliament should be a minister, it weakens parliament. Per the Constitution, about 70% of ministers must be MPs, I totally disagree, we have to change it,” he submitted on US-based Kings Radio on September 24.

He argued that when 70% of the legislature is part of the executive branch, it essentially results in self-scrutiny, and parliament should function as an independent body.

He also highlighted that MPs who become ministers tend to receive preferential treatment, while those who remain solely as MPs face more rigorous scrutiny.

Mr Agyapong acknowledged that there might be strong opposition to his stance and suggested that a referendum could be the way to resolve the issue.

He also lamented the challenges faced by MPs, including early deductions from their salaries for car loans, in contrast to CEOs of government departments and agencies who receive official cars, some of which they can purchase at a fraction of the cost at the end of their tenure.

Kennedy Agyapong, with over two decades of parliamentary experience, is poised to leave parliament as he pursues the NPP flagbearership, signaling his next political move.

He will vie for the flagbearership position alongside three other contenders: Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai-Nimoh.

The NPP has scheduled November 4, 2023, as the date to elect a successor to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the leader of the party.