MPs' car loan package is not a done deal - Leader

...MPs debate all day on Cars, and 10 minutes on other things

Majority Leader, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, has said that the process for the acquisition of cars for Members of Parliament (MPs) was ongoing and not "a done deal."

"MPs need to have cars as a matter of necessity to do their work. In fact MPs commute more than any professional I can think of at the moment."

The Majority Leader, who took over the office last Tuesday (October 16) told the GNA that "The options for making the legislators mobile are many, and we are still in the process of looking at the most viable option in view of the country's economic circumstances."

He said it was unfortunate that the country's historical circumstances have made the public less appreciative of the work of the MP. To Mr. Owusu-Ankoma the MP being the elected representative of the ordinary person was more sensitive to public opinion.

He said it was necessary for Ghanaians to be sympathetic and understanding for the MPs to be effective in the discharge of their duties.

On the deduction of the first instalment of the car loan from the MPs September salary, he said, "it was an interim measure taken pending the final determination of the process".

He said as a Leader of the House, "it is my responsibility to see to it that MPs get cars to enhance their work for the legislature to operate in a democratic environment. "My wish is to work with all MPs to improve on the capacity of Parliament and make it very independent. I know that is the vision of the President."

He said: " After all Parliament is the bulwark of democracy. We have decided to embrace the concept, so let us keep going."

Sources close to Parliament say the MPs harped on the issue all day, behind closed doors after spending just 10 minutes for normal sitting.