The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Tema East, Titus Glover has called on the leadership of the party to put in place policies that will protect first time MPs from defeat in parliamentary primaries.
Titus Glover who won his primaries over the weekend said such unhealthy competition makes it difficult for MPs to concentrate on their Parliamentary duties.
[contextly_sidebar id=”4cf1kU9MV2EuNADEl6pR19LiEUFgY3e1″]Speaking to Citi News, Titus Glover said the NPP constitution needs amendment to address how Parliamentary primaries are conducted.
“First time MPs should be allowed to be contested in their second time. If allow such people to be contested, it weakens Parliament. They know I’ve come first term and it’s a learning curve in Parliament.”
I’m a deputy ranking member for Trade and Industry Committee of Parliament, assuming I lost, whoever who will succeed me is going to start all over again. So I think in future our party’s constitution should be looked at again, that the first term MPs should be allowed to go the second term where they can invite contest to enable them build their capacity and their experiences in the Chamber,” Titus Glover added.
Minority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu before the party’s primaries pleaded that he must not be contested because of the position he wields in Parliament.
The plea was met with mixed reactions from members of the party.
Affirmative action deferred
The leadership of the NPP prior to the primaries passed an affirmative action aimed at securing seats for female incumbent MPs as well as indigenous Gas.
But the decision was widely rejected by members of the NPP and the matter was subsequently deferred to the party’s National Council.
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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana