Member of Parliament (MP) for the Amenfi Central constituency, Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah has explained that the government does not purchase cars for MPs.
He noted that the government only facilitates loans for MPs to buy cars and is payable within four (4) years.
The Minister for Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, has presented a loan agreement for $28 million to Parliament for the purchase of 275 vehicles for members of the 8th Parliament.
According to the papers presented to Parliament, the loan will be sourced from the National Investment Bank, NIB.
Based on the amount and the number of individuals involved, each MP is expected to receive over $100,000 for the purchase of a vehicle.
The Finance Committee of the House was expected to consider the loan agreement and report to the house.
After this information became public knowledge, many Ghanaians expressed their dissatisfaction at the government for going for the loan facility to purchase cars for MPs, when the country is still suffering economic hardships presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kwakye-Ackah addressing concerns of Ghanaians noted that the loan was not being taken by government to buy the cars for MPs but is rather fronting it (loans) for MPs.
“MPs are not gifted land cruisers by the state but the monies given to MPs to purchase vehicles are loans and one can either decide to take the loan or not,” he told Don Kwabena Prah on Happy98.9FM’s Epa Hoa Daben political talk show.
The MP noted that only Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of state institutions, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executive Officers (MMDCEs) are given cars by the state. “They don’t only get cars but government also pays for their fuel and maintenance.”
He expressed understanding over the frustration of Ghanaians but insists the car loans are to help MPs in the discharge of their duties. “Times are hard and I will not fault Ghanaians for criticizing the $28 million loan facility. But I think it is right MPs receive these loans to purchase vehicles to help them do their work.”