General Secretary of NDC Fifi Fiavi Kwetey
The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has strongly advocated for constitutional amendments to prevent Members of Parliament from simultaneously serving as ministers of state, describing the current arrangement as deceptive and detrimental to Ghana’s democracy.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face programme on Tuesday, Mr. Kwetey argued that Ghana’s political system allows individuals to blur the line between legislative and executive responsibilities, weakening Parliament’s independence and undermining its ability to hold the executive accountable.
“I insist that the constitutional review must first address the issue of decoupling Parliament from the executive—where if you are in Parliament, you cannot simultaneously be appointed to government,” he said.
He criticised the prevailing political culture in which individuals campaign for parliamentary seats, only to pursue ministerial positions once elected. According to Kwetey, this practice misleads voters and diminishes the integrity of parliamentary service.
“If you want to be an MP, we must know that you truly intend to serve as an MP—not to deceive the country while secretly aiming for a ministerial role,” he asserted.
Mr. Kwetey warned that Parliament risks becoming irrelevant if it continues to function as an extension of the executive.
He called for a power shift that restores parliamentary autonomy and reinforces the principle of separation of powers.
“Parliament should not be an appendage of the executive, where everything is dictated by the executive’s agenda,” he said. “The best way to serve the people of Ghana is to have a Parliament that can do its job—and say, ‘No, this is not acceptable.’”
Drawing comparisons with other democracies, Kwetey noted that in many countries, ministerial appointments are considered secondary to legislative service—not the ultimate objective.
“In many parts of the democratic world, Parliament is seen as the main avenue for public service. Being appointed as a minister is a bonus—not the goal,” he explained.