The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has called for constitutional reforms aimed at preventing Members of Parliament (MPs) from holding positions as ministers of state simultaneously. He argued that this current arrangement undermines parliamentary oversight and short-changes voters. During an appearance on Channel One TV’s Face to Face program on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Mr. Kwetey stated that this practice transforms Parliament into “an appendage of the executive,” as many MPs tend to prioritize their ministerial ambitions over their legislative duties.
“I insist that the constitutional review, one of the first things it must tackle, is to decouple this business where, if you are in Parliament, you can be elected to become a member of government,” Mr Kwetey stated. He accused some MPs of using their parliamentary roles as stepping stones to cabinet positions, rather than genuinely seeking to represent their constituents.
“If you want to run to become an MP, we must know that you are seeking to be an MP – not coming to use that position to deceive the country while you’re actually looking for a ministerial appointment,” he asserted. Mr Kwetey said the overlap between Parliament and the executive hampers the legislature’s ability to effectively hold the government to account.
“Parliament should not simply act as an extension of the executive branch, where everything revolves around the executive’s desires,” he stated. “The best way to serve the people of Ghana is for Parliament to fulfil its role and have the ability to say, ‘No, this is unacceptable.’” He noted that the provision allowing Members of Parliament (MPs) to serve as ministers was introduced under President Hilla Limann to prevent the legislature from hindering the executive. However, he described this arrangement as a historical “exception” that no longer aligns with Ghana’s democratic development.
“We have so many countries practising democracy, and that is not the case,” he noted. “Parliament was simply a means by which you wanted to serve your people. Becoming a minister was a bonus, not the aim.” He further argued that removing the incentive for MPs to chase ministerial roles would help restore Parliament’s independence and strengthen accountability in governance.
By: Mohammed Ali
