It’s official: Parliament drops new $200m chamber project

Parliament will no longer go ahead with the new $200m worth 450-seat chamber proposed to be built by the Parliamentary Service Board.

The Acting Director of Public Affairs of Parliament, Mrs Kate Addo, who disclosed this in an interview, said the project is not a feasible one at the moment.

“Before projects are completed, feasibility studies are done but you would realise that this new chamber is not something that is workable for now,” she told Accra based Neat FM, monitored by Adomonline.com.

According to her, the decision by Parliament not to go ahead with the project now does not necessarily mean money has been wasted.

Social media – Facebook and Twitter – have been inundated with harsh criticisms against the Ghanaian Parliament and its leadership, as well as the government in connection with the new proposed chamber.

Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who strongly supports the construction of the new chamber, told journalists in Accra that majority of those opposing the move are doing so because they do not have relevant information.

“When you listen to all the commentaries, majority of people do not have the relevant information just like some Members of Parliament who have condemned the move also do not have such information,” he said.

But, Mrs Addo has been detailing why Parliament would need a new chamber in the near future and not now.

“There are so many issues that are impeding proceedings in Parliament. The current chamber does not make room for disabled persons which makes it difficult for disabled persons to even visit Parliament during occasions. There is the need for a bigger public gallery, this particular chamber doesn’t make room for that.

“There is the need for a place where the media will meet but this chamber does not make room for that, but do we need a new chamber now? Obviously not and so we are not going ahead with it and so Ghanaians should take note. It is not coming on,” she stated emphatically.