A research conducted by the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana has revealed that Members of Parliament (MP) from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are doing better than those of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Explaining the survey, which evaluated the 275 MPs through perceptions from the constituencies, senior lecturer and head of the research team, Dr Isaac Owusu-Mensah explained that the research was aimed at seeking the views the electorate held about their MPs’ performance.
Dr Owusu-Mensah revealed on Adom FM Monday May 10, 2019, that, the relationship between MPs and chiefs, District Chief Executives (DCEs), as well as the constituents was also paramount in determining the legislators’ performance.
The leader of the research team explained that five electoral areas from each constituency was selected whilst 20 people from electoral areas were questioned.
Whilst the first responsibility of the MP as codified in the constitution is representation, 50.8% of the respondents said the first responsibility they seek from their MPs is to advocate for development, whereas only 1.3% extolled parliamentarians who scrutinise policies in parliament.
Meanwhile, 88.7% of the respondents said their MPs promised them development including projects such as schools, roads and hospitals.
He further revealed to host, Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom, that 44% of MPs do not visit their constituencies which played a key role in the ratings given by the constituents. The research also indicated that, most of the MPs, who do not visit their constituencies, are the first time MPs and those in the Greater Accra region.
According to Dr Owusu-Mensah, “the only aspect the NPP MPs did better than NDC is the relationship between MPs and DCEs and this could be due to the fact that the NPP is in government and the DCEs are also chosen by government.”
The research also revealed NDC MPs explained government policies better than NPP “and I [Dr Owusu-Mensah] had to go back and check if that was really it because I was wondering how opposition could be explaining government policies better.” But, as to whether the policies are explained in favour of government or not was not stated.
This is the list of the best 10 MPs:
Asutifi South – Collins Dauda (NDC)
Effutu – Alexander Afenyo Markin (NPP)
Abetifi – Bryan Acheampong (NPP)
Atiwa East – Abena Osei Asare (NPP)
Ellembelle – Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah (NDC)
North Tongu – Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwah (NDC)
Adaklu – Kwame Agbodza (NDC)
Akyim Swedru – Kennedy Osei Nyarko (NPP)
North Dayi – Joycelyn Tetteh (NDC)
Ketu South – Fiifi Kwetey (NDC)
Meanwhile, Dr Owusu-Mensah said “the worst performing MP is in the Eastern region with less than 10% rating who will be named later when the list of worst MPs are released.”
