In spite of the intense public outcry over their flamboyant scavenging on taxpayers’ funds, the Ghanaian parliament has approved the controversial loan agreements of $28 million and 3.5 million to buy luxurious cars for MPs and Council of State members.
Additionally, Parliament approved a tax waiver of US$ 13.3 million dollars for the importation of the vehicles in what will make the vehicles virtually free for the political elite class.
Already, the government is taking over 60% of the loans that the MPs would have used to repay the cars.
During the debate that culminated in the approval lasted barely an hour, with the double-talking MPs agreeing fully with the recommendation of the Finance Committee luxury vehicles.
Following intense backlash from the public, the Finance Committee populated by both the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Party (NDC) lawmakers had earlier claimed they wanted Parliament to discontinue the practice where government facilitates loans for MPs and Council of state members to purchase cars for official duties.
The Finance Committee’s report to Parliament stated: “Accordingly, the Committee strongly recommends to Parliament the discontinuation of the current vehicle loan arrangement for MPs and Council of State Members. Members of Parliament and Members of the Council of State should have similar duty post vehicle arrangements as other Article 71 officeholders. And the Committee respectfully recommends that Parliament and the Parliamentary Service take the necessary steps to ensure that this happens.”
However, when the time came for approving the funds for the cars, they almost unanimously approved it, with the justification that their suggestions to stop facilitating the luxury car appetite should be implemented in the future.