Peter Ayinbisa, the Upper East Regional Communications Director for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has urged comprehensive reforms in Ghana’s parliamentary system to enhance its credibility and effectiveness.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Ayinbisa criticized the influence of money in politics, particularly in parliamentary primaries, and called for structural changes to ensure the selection of competent candidates.
He attributed many of Parliament’s challenges to a system that prioritizes financial power over merit, arguing that the delegate system should be abolished to eliminate “monetary politics.”
“We must do away with monetary politics because everything starts with the primaries. Currently, becoming a parliamentary candidate—and eventually an MP—depends on financial strength rather than competence. The delegate system has made it about who can buy votes rather than who can lead effectively,” he said.
Beyond electoral reforms, Ayinbisa emphasized the need for proper orientation and a code of conduct for MPs to ensure disciplined and honorable behavior.
He suggested that such training should begin early in a politician’s career to instill a sense of responsibility from the outset.
“If we inculcate this training from day one, MPs will develop the right mindset and understand the limits of their conduct,” he noted.
He also called on MPs to lead by example, stressing that their actions reflect on their constituents.
“MPs should live lives worthy of emulation. Their behavior influences public perception and should inspire trust,” he said.
On leadership, Ayinbisa underscored the importance of allowing open dialogue and diverse opinions in Parliament, arguing that this would prevent tensions from escalating into disruptive incidents.
“Leadership is key. Our leaders must allow people to express their opinions freely,” he concluded.
His remarks come amid growing concerns about the credibility of Ghana’s Parliament, with calls for urgent reforms to restore public confidence in the legislative body.
