The Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah is kicking against the construction of a new parliamentary chamber complex.
His position follows that of other MPs mainly in the Minority side who are against the proposed complex which includes a new 450 Member chamber.
Last week, the team of architects led by British Ghanaian Architect, Sir David Adjaye unveiled the design and artist impression for the project valued at 200 million dollars to the leadership of the House.
Speaking to the press in Parliament, the MP who doubles as the Deputy Minister for Sanitation insisted that the construction of the complex is not an immediate priority.
“I do not think the timing is right. Ghanaians have pressing needs that they will want us to address and which the government of President Akufo-Addo is attending to. I have a lot of challenges in my constituency. How am I going to answer a question of this nature to my people?”
“I think first things first. Maybe in the next thirty, forty, fifty years when we are all okay, looking at the progression, the trajectory, we can have a monumental edifice. I am not for it now. It could be a matter for future discussion.”
The construction of a new parliamentary chamber is expected to begin before the end of 2019.
The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, indicated that the state does not intend to spend more than $200 million on the 450-seater new parliamentary chamber.
Famed architect, David Frank Adjaye, designed the model and at the Friday meeting, he took the parliamentarians through the proposed design and their concepts.
He told the media that the project will be completed in three years if it begins before the end of the year.