Deputy Finance Minister calls MPs car loan unconstitutional, threatens legal action against government

A Deputy Minister for Finance and Member of Parliament for Ejisu, John Kumah, says giving Members of Parliament car loans while officials in other arms of government are provided cars for their work is unfair and must be addressed.

According to him, the loan agreement totalling $28 million for MPs to acquire cars for their official use is illegal, as the dictates of the constitution demands that the consolidated fund is billed for emoluments and benefits of members of parliament.

“By what reason are you saying that instead of charging it on the consolidated fund, you are giving me a loan. Loans for what? Let’s treat MPs fairly… They don’t deserve loans, they deserve cars charged on the consolidated fund,” he said.

The Ejisu MP said the provisions in the constitution that spells out the emoluments of Article 71 Office Holders has existed since 1992, and have indicated that all such entitlements must be provided from the consolidated fund, and so the practice by successive governments  to give car loans to Members of Parliament and Council of State Members is illegal.

“It is illegal and unconstitutional and the fact that we have made mistakes in the past does not mean we should continue,” John Kumah said on Accra based Citi fm.

The legislator indicated that he has submitted a memo on the subject and will not hesitate, together with other legislators who are opposed to the car loan purchase agreement, to take legal action to enforce the law.

“I have submitted a memo… We can go to court to enforce our rights, and I’m telling you, we will go to court if we have to,” he said.

He further added that other elected officials such as unit committee and assembly members as well as Council of State members must be treated fairly by being provided their entitlements and emoluments funded by the consolidated fund.

By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh

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