Opinions of Friday, 13 December 2024

Columnist: Sampson Owusu Gyinaye

Enhancing constituency representation and accountability

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His Excellency John Dramani Mahama

The President Elect

Office of the President Elect

Accra

December 13, 2024

Dear Mr. President Elect,

I hope this letter finds you well. As a concerned citizen and a loyal supporter, I am writing to respectfully appeal to you to consider a crucial matter that affects the lives of many Ghanaians. I am confident that your leadership will bring about the necessary changes to strengthen our democracy.

My plea is that all Members of Parliament elect should be required to reside in their respective constituencies and operate from there. This will enable them to be more accessible and responsive to the needs of their constituents. Whenever necessary, they can attend meetings in Accra and return to their constituencies, ensuring that they remain connected to the people who elected them.

Unfortunately, it has become a common practice for some elected officials to abandon their constituencies after taking office. This has led to widespread dissatisfaction among the electorate, who feel neglected and disenfranchised. Some officials even travel abroad without justification, leaving their constituents without representation or support.

To address this issue, I propose that Members of Parliament elect should be held accountable for their attendance and participation in constituency activities. Those who are unwilling or unable to fulfill this responsibility should reconsider their position and allow others who are more committed to serving their constituents to take their place.

By implementing this measure, we can strengthen the bond between elected officials and their constituents, promote transparency and accountability, and ultimately enhance the overall quality of representation in our country.

Thank you for considering my appeal, Mr. President Elect. I am confident that your leadership will bring about positive change and ensure that our elected officials are truly representative of the people.

Sincerely,

Sampson Owusu Gyinaye