Rescind decision or face court action-NPP MPs told

The NPP Members of Parliament decided to boycott the vetting of the nominees in line with the party’s decision not to recognise the legitimacy of President John Mahama’s presidency, claiming he, together with the Electoral Commission (EC), manipulated the figures of the December 7 elections in his favour to proclaim him the winner and the matter is currently before the Supreme Court.

Mr Boateng made his intention known when he met a section of the Eastern Regional Press Corps in Koforidua last Friday.

He said once elected an MP,one becomes the accredited representative of the people in the entire constituency, but not to a particular political party, adding that if one failed to do the work for which he had been elected, such an individual should not be given any monetary or material reward.

“If the MPs have decided to tow the line of their party’s executive not to recognise President Mahama as the legitimate Head of State and will not do anything with his nominees till the outcome of the case at the Supreme Court, then they should simply vacate their seats in Parliament and refund all emoluments given to them as MPs,” he stated.

“Parliamentary duty is almost like that of the Civil Service of which no money or other forms of benefits are given to workers who deliberately refuse to do the work of which they had been employed”, Mr Boateng added.

Ghana’s democracy, Mr Boateng stated, had become the beacon in Africa and as such, legislators should champion the welfare of their constituents and must not be seen as mercenaries but rather selfless and dedicated honourable persons chosen to help improve the lot of the people.

He was hopeful that the MPs would reconsider their stand and perform the duties for which they had been elected to help advance the country’s democracy.

Story by A. Kofoya-Tetteh