‘I’m Frustrated, I Won’t Contest For MP Again’ – NDC’s Nii Lante Announces

Odododiodio Member of Parliament, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has announced his decision to bow out of the House, attributing frustration as the primary factor compelling his departure. Speaking in an interview with Citi FM on Thursday, November 16, the former Youth and Sports Minister expressed his discontent with the lack of protection for MPs by political parties, revealing that this exposes them to various pressures that hinder their progress.

Vanderpuye lamented that the frustration he faces is a shared experience among many MPs across party lines, contributing to a concerning attrition rate within the House. He underscored the detrimental impact of this high turnover, preventing MPs from gaining the necessary experience to effectively contribute to the work of Parliament.

“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,” Vanderpuye stated.

The veteran MP emphasized the importance of time spent on research and the ability to ask pertinent questions, citing respected colleagues like Dr Osei Assibey and the late Dr Akoto Osei as examples. He highlighted that the attrition rate in Parliament is hindering individuals from acquiring the necessary experience to advance the work of the legislative body.

Vanderpuye also commended the success of Speaker Bagbin, attributing it to his extensive parliamentary experience. He asserted that Bagbin’s speakership exhibits qualities superior to those of speakers without prior parliamentary involvement.

“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,” Vanderpuye added.

Nii Lante Vanderpuye, who first entered Parliament in 2013 after winning the 2012 general elections, expressed his concerns about the attrition rate and the need for a supportive environment that enables MPs to utilize their talents and competencies for the benefit of Parliament. His decision to step down marks the end of an impactful political career that began with a notable victory over the New Patriotic Party’s Victor Okaikoi in 2012.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com