Offinso North MP Calls for Legal Clarity Before Building New Parliamentary Chamber

Member of Parliament for Offinso North, Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, has called for a thorough legal and structural review before Ghana commits to constructing a new parliamentary chamber. He argues that any decision to expand Parliament’s infrastructure must first be guided by statutory clarity regarding the future size and composition of the legislature.

His remarks follow Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s renewed advocacy for a larger, modern parliamentary chamber to accommodate the growing number of lawmakers, which now stands at 276, following the swearing-in of two new MPs on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

During parliamentary proceedings earlier in the week, Speaker Bagbin raised concerns about the limited capacity of the current chamber, which was originally designed for fewer MPs. He warned that the continuous increase in membership risked overstretching the chamber’s infrastructure, potentially affecting legislative efficiency and safety.

“The chamber is already overcrowded, and with every additional member, the strain increases,” Mr. Bagbin said, urging government planners to begin designs for a modern, more functional parliamentary space.

The Speaker’s comments revive a debate that first emerged in 2019, when proposals for a 450-seat parliamentary complex sparked public criticism due to concerns over cost and national priorities. The plan was eventually shelved amid public backlash.

Dr. Asamoah supported the Speaker’s broader vision for improved working conditions for MPs but insisted that any infrastructural investment should follow clear legislative direction.

“What the Speaker is calling for would require both statutory and structural changes,” Dr. Asamoah stated. “We need to decide whether 276 is the final number of MPs or if that figure will continue to grow. If the size is capped, then there may be no need for a massive expansion. But if we expect more seats in the future, that’s when a new chamber becomes necessary.”

He explained that Ghana’s constitutional and electoral framework—particularly Article 47 of the 1992 Constitution, which guides the creation of constituencies—needs to be reviewed to determine whether the number of constituencies and MPs should continue expanding or be capped to manage governance costs.

The question of whether Ghana needs a new parliamentary chamber is not merely architectural—it reflects broader concerns about governance efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and institutional growth. With Ghana’s population estimated at over 33 million and new districts periodically created, the number of constituencies—and, by extension, MPs—has steadily increased since the First Parliament of the Fourth Republic in 1993, which began with 200 members.

Today’s figure of 276 MPs represents a 38% increase over three decades, putting pressure on both infrastructure and administrative resources. Critics argue that expanding Parliament further could burden taxpayers, especially amid Ghana’s current fiscal challenges.

Supporters of expansion, however, contend that effective representation requires accommodating population growth and new administrative boundaries.

Dr. Asamoah emphasised that any new chamber project must be evaluated within the context of public expenditure priorities and ongoing economic recovery efforts.

“Before committing millions to a new complex, we should ensure the structure of Parliament is future-proof,” he said. “This includes reviewing the law, clarifying membership limits, and possibly implementing digital solutions to reduce the need for physical expansion.”

His position echoes similar sentiments from civil society groups such as the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), which has consistently argued that Parliament’s focus should be on transparency, digitalisation, and accountability rather than physical expansion.

A 2024 CDD report found that Ghana’s parliamentary expenditure has grown by nearly 30% in the last five years, driven largely by administrative and constituency service costs. Analysts warn that further expansion without reform could compound these fiscal pressures.

Public reaction to renewed discussions about a new parliamentary chamber has been mixed. While some Ghanaians agree that the current facility—constructed in the early 1990s—is outdated and cramped, others believe national priorities should focus on education, healthcare, and debt reduction rather than new government buildings.

Political science lecturer Dr. Amanda Owusu-Poku of the University of Ghana told Labari Insights that such projects require careful justification and transparency.

“Infrastructure upgrades are necessary, but in a context of economic strain, Parliament must demonstrate that such an investment serves the public interest not political comfort,” she said.

As the debate continues, policymakers face a difficult balance between modernising parliamentary infrastructure and maintaining fiscal discipline.

The Parliamentary Service Board is expected to conduct a review of the legislative building’s structural integrity, with a possible feasibility study to explore expansion or reconstruction options.

Meanwhile, governance experts are urging Parliament to take a holistic approach—one that addresses not just physical space, but also digital transformation, public access, and sustainability standards for any future building project.

The call for a new chamber underscores Ghana’s institutional growing pains as democracy matures. With representation expanding and parliamentary responsibilities increasing, the question is not only about space but about efficiency, accountability, and foresight in national planning.

If handled prudently, the discussion could set a precedent for how state institutions balance development needs with economic realities—a lesson relevant to other African democracies facing similar dilemmas.

Dr. Asamoah’s intervention highlights the need for a measured, law-based approach to national development planning. Ghana’s Parliament remains a symbol of democracy, and decisions about its expansion must be guided by both legal clarity and fiscal responsibility.

As the debate evolves, one thing remains clear: the future of Ghana’s legislative infrastructure will test how well the country balances representation, reform, and restraint.

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