Lawyer Anokye Frimpong Opposes Proposal to Increase MPs to 300

Lawyer Anokye Frimpong has described proposals to increase the number of Members of Parliament (MPs) in Ghana from 276 to 300 as unnecessary, arguing that the move would place an additional financial burden on the state without improving governance. Speaking in an interview on the Ghana Nti Morning Show on ICADTV, Mr. Frimpong said increasing the number of lawmakers would not benefit the country, insisting that Ghana does not need 300 people to make laws. “We don’t need 300 people to make laws for us. It is a waste of time and state resources,” he said. According to him, Parliament should instead focus on quality rather than numbers. He argued that a smaller legislature made up of competent and knowledgeable individuals would be more effective. Mr. Frimpong proposed that anyone seeking election as a Member of Parliament should possess at least a master’s degree, regardless of the institution where it was obtained. He said such a requirement would ensure that lawmakers have a better understanding of legislation, its impact, and the limits of law-making while reducing the number of MPs to about 150 to help save public funds. He further claimed that many MPs lack sufficient knowledge of the law and argued that only those with the necessary expertise should be entrusted with the responsibility of making laws. The lawyer also called for a clearer separation of powers between the Executive and the Legislature. He criticised the practice of appointing sitting MPs as ministers, citing the Ministers for Finance, Education, Lands and Natural Resources, and Health as examples. According to Mr. Frimpong, appointing MPs as ministers weakens Parliament’s ability to effectively perform its oversight and law-making responsibilities. He argued that legislators should remain independent to strengthen accountability and improve governance. “I Am Against the Proposal to Increase the Number of MPs to 300”. maintaining that the country would benefit more from a smaller, highly qualified, and independent Parliament than from a larger legislature.