Josiah
Political analyst Samuel Boateng has criticised the proposed 100% increase in the salaries of Members of Parliament under the Article 71 emoluments arrangement, arguing that the lawmakers have not demonstrated the level of performance needed to justify such a significant pay rise.
Mr Boateng questioned why Members of Parliament should receive a 100% increase when other public sector workers, including teachers, police officers and health professionals, are receiving much smaller salary adjustments of 9%, 8% and 6%.
He argued that MPs are also public servants and should not be treated as though their work is more important or more valuable than that of other professionals who serve the country.
According to him, the wide gap in remuneration has become a concern, with some teachers and medical doctors reportedly leaving their professions to enter politics in the hope of improving their financial situation after years of working under difficult conditions.
Mr Boateng also questioned the justification for the proposed increase in the context of the development challenges facing many constituencies.
He said some communities represented by MPs continue to struggle with basic needs such as access to potable water, while children in certain areas still study on bare floors or under trees.
For him, the performance of an MP should not be measured simply by attendance and participation in parliamentary proceedings but also by the tangible impact of their work on the communities they represent.
The analyst further criticised MPs who accept ministerial appointments, arguing that such positions could take their attention away from their responsibilities to constituents.
He claimed that some MPs become less visible in their constituencies after being elected and only increase their engagement with voters as the next four-year electoral cycle approaches.
Mr Boateng also raised concerns about the growing influence of partisan politics in Parliament. He cited parliamentary walkouts and what he described as the frequent use of the “yeah, yeah” mantra as indications that party interests sometimes take precedence over Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to scrutinise government.
He maintained that one of Parliament’s most important duties is to hold the Executive accountable, scrutinise government policies and ensure that promises made to Ghanaians are fulfilled.
However, he argued that Parliament has not always lived up to this responsibility, with some issues capable of providing immediate relief to ordinary citizens allegedly receiving less attention than matters that primarily serve the interests of politicians.
“If Members of Parliament deserve a 100% increase in their salaries, then all public servants should be entitled to the same percentage increase,” Mr Boateng said.
He maintained that any substantial increase in the salaries of MPs should be accompanied by clear evidence of improved performance, greater accountability and measurable development in the communities they represent.
A stronger headline option could be: “MPs Have Not Earned 100% Salary Increase – Political Analyst Samuel Boateng”.
Source : Omanghana
