MPs want official cars, not loans to buy — Vincent Ekow Assafuah

The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah has expressed dissatisfaction is not happy with the fact they have to secure loans to buy cars for their official duties and pay from their pockets.

This, he argued, is unfair to them considering that other government officials are given cars to work with.

He noted that the situation affects their welfare and remains a challenge that needs to be addressed.

“We have over the years worked so hard on getting the Executive to understand the legislative arm of government is disadvantaged – because if you look at even DCEs, their number used to be 90, 110 and now they are 266 – only about 9 short of MPs, but they do not have to buy cars to work in their offices. The state is able to provide, maintain, fuel and chauffeur-drive them; yet in the case of a Member of Parliament, he has to go through all these difficulties,”

“In our case, we have been elected to represent people in Parliament, and these vehicles are not given to us for fun; they are given to aid us in the discharge of our duties and responsibilities. Consider those of us who are from a far place,’’ he added

“But here’s the case – we have to buy them with our own money because a loan is given you to buy, which you are supposed to pay by the time you end your tenure as a Member of Parliament for the four years. It is simply not fair, and I think it is a good call for government to look into providing those vehicles for Members of Parliament.” Vincent Ekow Assafuah exclusively told Kwaku Dawuro on ‘Anopa Nkomo’on Accra-based Kingdom FM 107.7

Addressing the floor of the House, Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei Asare stated that the medium-term $28 million loan is to be repaid by the members in the course of their four-year term as MPs.

Another request for a $3.5million car loan for members of the 8th Council of State to purchase vehicles was also made.

Meanwhile, the $28 million car loan agreement has since come under scrutiny by some members of the public who argue that the procurement of vehicles for MPs should not be a priority.