The Ghana Union Movement (GUM) has introduced a bold proposal aimed at reforming Ghana’s legislative structure by significantly reducing the number of Members of Parliament from the current 275 to a leaner assembly of approximately 40.
This proposal reflects the party’s desire to streamline governance, enhance legislative efficiency, and alleviate the financial burden that the current parliamentary system places on Ghana’s resources.
According to GUM, the high number of MPs contributes to inefficiencies and gridlock within Parliament. The party argues that, instead of facilitating robust debate and effective decision-making, the large assembly often hampers progress, as prolonged discussions and divided opinions delay important resolutions.
This, GUM claims, results in a legislative process is not only slow but also costly, given the expenses involved in maintaining a high number of parliamentarians.
These costs encompass salaries, benefits, and the resources needed for each MP’s office, collectively creating a financial strain on public resources that could be better allocated to other areas of development.
Christian Kwabena Andrews, the flagbearer of GUM, shared these views during a press briefing held in Accra, where he elaborated on the party’s reform agenda.
Known for his leadership within GUM and his advocacy for social and economic justice, Mr. Andrews is positioning GUM as a proponent of change that challenges the status quo.
He believes that a smaller, more focused legislative body would be more effective in driving policy changes, reducing partisan gridlock, and ensuring that the interests of Ghanaian citizens are prioritized.
The Ghana Union Movement, founded on the ideological principles of Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is relatively new in the political landscape, having entered the national election race for the first time in 2020.
In the 2020 election, GUM received 105,548 valid votes in the presidential race, which constituted 0.08 percent of the total ballots cast.
Though this support placed the party in third position behind the well-established New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), GUM’s performance was notable given that it was a newcomer competing against 12 other candidates, many with deeper political roots and larger support bases.
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