“I’m not here to do politics of deceit and lies, but of course, because I understand the needs of my people, I would do my best, and if I am in the position to lobby for something, I would not rest or sleep. I would apply myself and help in the development of our community.”
Maxwell Ziyerley Abgambilla, one of seven individuals who have successfully filed their nominations ahead of the NDC’s primaries in the coming weeks, made these comments when he spoke to Mark Smith on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show recently.
His comments were in relation to the duties and financial strength of the MP, as well as what constituents should demand from the MPs. The MP, Mr. Agbambilla explained, has no big budget and, as such, cannot pursue huge developmental projects.
For delegates, Mr. Agbambilla explained that they have to be wary of MP hopefuls who make huge promises.
“Because I understand what money is legally available to a parliamentarian, I am careful and don’t go promising heaven on earth because I know that an MP doesn’t have a budget. If somebody comes to promise you that he would do a road for you, you should think twice. Ask him two questions; With what money are you going to do that? If he says to lobby, ask him, lobby who? Do you know who will be the roads minister? Do you know what budgetary allocation would be given to roads in the 4 years you would have your government?”
The private legal practitioner admitted that due to the unpalatability of his comments, “I risk losing favour with some people because people like sweet things. But that is the truth.”
When asked whether the general populace had become unrealistic in the demands it made or that politicians had become more bent on occupying positions and, as such, were not mindful of what promises they made as opposed to what was realistic, Mr. Agbambilla explained that “it is a chicken and egg situation. You know, which one came first? Genuinely, there is a need, and they think that you are better off, so they come to you with their needs, but then there are just some of us [politicians] who think we can buy our way into politics, and that for me is the major problem.”
Mr. Agbambilla called on delegates to begin questioning politicians about the source of wealth. If the delegates fail to do this, they risk participating in corruption.
“You see people spring up and you don’t know where they get their money from. In this our country, we are not serious with some of our laws and so we don’t ask people, where does this money come from? Look at me. Look at my age. I am a practising lawyer. If I start giving the people of Zebila some amount of money, they should be concerned. What kind of law do you practise that you have been able to raise all this money. Who gives the money to you? What is the person’s motive? But of course, we don’t ask that.”
The lawyer explained that for every problem, leadership is the cause and the rest is the effect, therefore, politicians would have to take the lead role in de-monetizing politics.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
