The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Majority Leader of Parliament Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has revealed that, the next parliament will consider reducing the sizes of committees in Parliament.

According to him, the size of the committees is not enhancing the parliamentarians to contribute effectively.

‘There are 30 committees in Parliament, Standing Committees and Select Committees , standing committees focuses on in house activities whiles the select committees oversee the work of the ministries, and each member occupies two or more committees at the standing committees and same at the select committees which is making them lose focus ‘’ he disclosed.

If we downsize the committees it will enhance the performance of members especially with the select committees that oversees the ministries , because when there is going to be a budget presentation or and committees have been task to go through ministries allocation, you will find members moving to and fro to their various committees and this is making them lose concentration on a particular ministry’s budget, for instance if a member happens to be on Energy, Agricultural and Finance Committees respectively that member can’t even spend more than 30 minutes at one committee meeting and it not the best’’

‘Previously the committees were holding their meetings at hotels and it may happen when tree committees will be having their meetings at a separate venue and a member of these committees will have to move from one venue to the other sometimes they even missed a committee meeting but now we have instructed them to hold their meeting at chambers even with that some members are struggling to be present at a go’

Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu told show host Oderfour Qwasi Kay on Ashh Fm’s National Agenda that, the representation of members at more than two committees is affecting the parliamentarian to build their capacity or get the requisite knowledge at a particular sector.
He said, the downsizing of the committees will help the parliamentarians to speak to facts and help parliament oversight responsibilities and also strength democracy.

Below are Committees in Parliament:
Standing Committees
Appointments
Business
Committee of Selection
Finance
Gender and Children
Government Assurance
House
Judiciary
Members Holding Offices of Profit
Privileges
Public Accounts
Special Budget
Standing Orders
Subsidiary Legislation

Select Committees
Communications
Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
Defence and Interior
Education
Employment, Social Welfare and State Enterprises
Environment, Science and Technology
Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs
Foreign Affairs
Health
Lands and Forestry
Local Government and Rural Development
Mines and Energy
Roads and Transport
Trade, Industry and Tourism
Works and Housing
Youth, Sports and Culture

Source: myashhfmonline.com