No need for new chamber with hospital; Ridge Hospital is enough for MPs – Ayariga to Afenyo-Markin

The Majority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has rejected the proposal for a new parliamentary chamber with enhanced security and a hospital.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Parliamentary Service Board on Monday, March 17, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin argued that a new hospital is needed to safeguard the confidentiality of MPs’ health issues.

He also noted that the current chamber leaves room for MPs to be attacked by any aggrieved member of society, hence the need to deliberate on the possibility of a new chamber with enhanced security.

However, speaking at the same event, Ayariga stated that MPs can use the Ridge Hospital, which is fit for purpose, or upgrade the clinic at the chamber rather than constructing a new facility that could give the impression that they do not want to mingle with ordinary Ghanaians.

“I definitely don’t believe that a hospital should be the priority of this Parliament. Mr. Speaker, we are very close to Ridge Hospital, which I personally believe is adequate to provide the services that staff here will need. And I don’t believe that, at this stage in the finances of this country, we should have a political class building a hospital especially for itself and not wanting to mingle with ordinary Ghanaians and the facilities they use,” he said.

Considering the country’s current financial status, the Leader of Government Business also dismissed the idea of constructing a new chamber to enhance security.

“I don’t think the security issues warrant discussions about constructing a new chamber, and I totally reject that as well. At this stage, when this country is confronted with multiple financial challenges, I completely disagree with my colleague,” he added.