The Member of Parliament for Binduri, Issifu Mahmoud, has described the GHC150,000 project monitoring fund allocated to each MP as insufficient, arguing that the amount falls short of meeting the demands of their constituencies.

Parliament Approves GHC250k for Education Projects, Plus GHC150k for Monitoring

On Saturday, March 29, Parliament approved an allocation of GHC250,000 per MP through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to finance education-related projects in their constituencies.

Additionally, an extra GHC150,000 was allocated to each MP specifically for monitoring these projects. However, the decision has drawn criticism, with many questioning the necessity and adequacy of the funds.

MPs Face Heavy Financial Burdens

In an interview with Channel One Newsroom, MP Issifu Mahmoud defended the allocations but stressed that MPs frequently face overwhelming financial demands from their constituents. These include requests for school fees, medical bills, and other forms of financial assistance.

“Critics may have a point, but they don’t fully understand the nature of an MP’s responsibilities. This GHC150,000 meant for project monitoring is simply not enough,” he argued.

He further emphasized that senior MPs often spend far beyond this amount to meet their constituents’ pressing needs.

“Some experienced MPs spend far more than GHC150,000 in a week or a month just supporting people. They pay school fees, assist with healthcare, and provide help across various sectors,” Mahmoud explained.

Funds Aimed at Improving Education, But Questions Remain

While the approved funds are intended to enhance educational infrastructure and learning resources, concerns persist regarding whether the allocations will be enough to make a significant impact.

With rising expectations from the electorate, MPs continue to struggle to balance development projects with direct financial assistance to their communities.

What Do You Think?

Should MPs receive more funds for project monitoring, or is GHC150k enough? Drop your thoughts in the comments!