In order to accommodate the increasing number of parliamentarians, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has voiced concerns about the current parliamentary chamber’s inadequate capacity and urged the administration to start planning for a more suitable venue.
His remarks came after two new MPs were sworn in, Bernard Bediako for Akwatia and Prof. Seidu Alidu for Tamale Central, increasing the total number of MPs to 276.
“We are happy now to have the full complement of the House. We now have 276 MPs. Please, the number is no longer 275. We have 276,” the Speaker announced during proceedings in Accra on Tuesday, October 21.
Mr. Bagbin pointed out that the current chamber was already overburdened and cautioned that if space limitations are not immediately resolved, adding more members could jeopardize the building’s structural stability.
“Anytime the number increases, we have to create space for the member. So please, before this number increases, you must, as a country, as a republic, start looking for a proper place. If not, the integrity of this structure is being undermined — a word to the wise is enough,” he cautioned.
The Minority caucus now has 87 members, while the Majority National Democratic Congress holds 185 seats, along with the support of all four independent MPs.