Member of Parliament for North Tongu Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says the proposed new 450-seat parliament chamber is needless.
According to Mr Ablakwa, more resources should be committed to boosting research in the legislature.
Mr Ablakwah who is the Minority spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, in a Facebook post said: “I do not think Parliament needs a new chamber complex.
“If the views of all Members of Parliament were sought, I would have suggested we used some of those resources to beef up research staff of MPs who must be paid well in order to attract a good calibre and construct simple MP offices across the country to improve interactions with constituents as we have in other jurisdictions, especially at a time most constituents say they do not get to see their MPs. Respectfully, I do hope Mr Speaker will take a second look at this,†he said.
Parliament is considering building a new ultramodern chamber and the Parliamentary Service Board say they have already received the architectural model for the new chamber from renowned Ghanaian architect David Frank Adjaye, the same designer of the National Cathedral.
He walked the leaders of the house and the MPs through the new design at a meeting on Friday.
“We have been given the direction to prepare to start sometime this year. If we are able to start this year, it can be completed within the next three yearsâ€, Mr Adjaye said, adding: “We are removing the Parliamentary chamber to a new chamber and refurbishing the old parliament to be another conference facility for parliamentâ€
“We are going to put all the car parks you see, under the parliament for securityâ€, he explained to the media. “The parliamentarians can drive into a secure zone and rise up directly into the chamber,†he said.
“This will allow the Job 600 building to perform better. Where the car parks are will be turned into gardens which will be able to receive people on occasions.â€
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