Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) member of parliament for the Odododiodoo constituency, has given an explanation for why he will not be running in the general elections of 2024.
He claimed that his parliamentary responsibilities have grown somewhat tiresome, and as a result, he is stepping down.
Speaking to Citi FM in Accra, he claimed that politicians confront many obstacles in carrying out their responsibilities and that this lack of protection from political parties causes them to become frustrated.
“I am leaving Parliament because I am frustrated; the [political] parties do not protect the people they have [in Parliament]. So, you are subjected to so much pressure that, after a time, you lose interest because you don’t get the sort of environment to be able to harmonize the talents and competence you have.”
Nii Lante Vanderpuye bemoaned the fact that many Members of Parliament on both sides experience this kind of frustration, which contributes to the unsettling attrition rates in the House.
He claimed that members of Parliament who contribute significantly to the House are rapidly leaving.
“The attrition rate in Parliament is too high, and as such, people do not get the sort of experience they require to advance the work of Parliament. One of the gentlemen I admire so much since I entered that House in 2013 was Dr. Osei Assibey. When I look at the work he does and how he comes out to analyze documents, I can see someone who spent time researching to be able to ask the necessary questions. The late Dr. Akoto Osei was another when it came to drafting bills.”
“Bagbin is succeeding as a Speaker because of the lengthy experience he has had as a member of parliament. If you look at his speakership, you will see some quality that is better than what we saw of other speakers who were not members of parliament, and it is clear for us to see,” Nii Lante Vanderpuye further told Nathan Quao.
In the 2012 elections, he won the position of MP.
