Controversy Over Car Loans For Parliamentarians

The announcement that Members of Parliament (MP)will be ganted $20,000 loans to purchase vehicles has generated controversy in the country. While some MPs have defended the advancement of the loans to each of them, members of the public think otherwise.

President Kufuor is reported to be outraged by the decision. In a rare show of solidarity, members of both the Majority and Minority in Parliament have vigorously justified the need for them to access the loans arguing that the cars will facilitate their work in Parliament and their numerous travels to their constituencies. Their explanation has however not dettered the public from criticising the decision following the revelation that the money will be sourced from the Consolidated Fund.

The General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party, Nii Noi Dowuona told JOYFM that the Speaker of Parliament’s purchase of a $60,000 Mercedes Benz car was a bad precedent for members. He urged the President and the leadership of the House to thoroughly discuss the issue. The NPP MP for Ayawaso who belives that the lawmakers have a legitimate claim to the loan has accused the media of inciting public sentimens against Parliament.

The Editor of Weekly Insight, Kwesi Pratt Junior says the tax payers and government risk being ripped of massiveamounts of money if the 20,000 dollar loans for MP’s to purchase vehicles are approved.

According to him, the salaries paid Parliamentarins do not place them in a position to pay back the loans they are taking. Mr Pratt explained that the MPs are paid a monthly salary of 1.3 million Cedis and if 1.2 million Cedis is taken out of their salaries a month as payment for the car loans, the MPs will be left with only 100,000 Cedis.

“Everybody in Ghana knows that 100,000 Cedis cannot sustain even the body and soul, so where are the MPs going to get monies to cater for themselves. Are they going to cut corners and engage in deals?” Mr Pratt said although the MP’s need cars to facilitate their work, their actions show that they are more interested in buying luxurious cars.