Speaking during discussions about the allocation of official vehicles to MPs, Mr. Bagbin argued that the nature of parliamentary work in Ghana makes it necessary for lawmakers to be equipped with reliable vehicles, particularly 4x4s that can navigate the country’s challenging road networks.
According to him, some critics have pointed to examples from the United Kingdom where certain MPs choose to ride bicycles to work as a way to save costs and promote environmental sustainability.
However, the Speaker said such comparisons fail to take into account the vast differences between the two countries in terms of infrastructure, geography, and the demands placed on legislators.
“You cannot compare Ghana to Britain,” he said. “If a British MP rides a bicycle to work, that does not mean our MPs should do the same.
The circumstances are completely different.” Mr. Bagbin explained that many Ghanaian MPs travel long distances across their constituencies, often through rough and poorly maintained roads, to meet constituents and attend official duties. In such situations, he said, durable vehicles are not a luxury but a practical necessity.
He further emphasized that parliamentary work goes beyond attending sittings in Accra. MPs frequently move between their constituencies and the capital while also responding to urgent community issues, attending events, and monitoring development projects.
The Speaker therefore urged the public to understand the realities of parliamentary duties before drawing comparisons with other countries.
His remarks come amid ongoing public debate over the cost of governance and the type of vehicles provided to lawmakers, with some citizens calling for more modest options to reduce government expenditure.