The Member of Parliament for Ho Central, Richmond Edem Kofi Kpotosu, has cautioned against rising public expectations that MPs serve as direct providers of development projects, particularly amid increasing political promises by aspiring candidates.
His comments come amid concerns that some political hopefuls are raising constituent expectations by pledging to personally deliver infrastructure such as schools and hospitals once elected.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Wednesday, April 1, he stressed that such perceptions misrepresent the constitutional role of MPs, who he described as facilitators rather than implementing authorities.
“MPs are not development agents, but that is what it seems to be. MPs are development drivers. The MCEs and the DCEs are the development agents. The MPs are drivers of opportunities, services, and development, not agents of development,” he said.
Mr. Kpotosu explained that MPs are elected on party tickets and are expected to advocate for their party’s development agenda, which is then implemented through local government structures.
“The MP is going on the ticket of a party, and the party has plans for the community, so you, as the MP, need to voice those things out. When your party comes into government, that is what the assembly needs to help you prosecute,” he stated.
He further urged greater public education on the development process, warning that unrealistic campaign promises risk creating disappointment among constituents.
“We need to advocate a lot for people to understand and appreciate it so that the people after us will not come and say that when I get there, I will build a hospital, a school, and then you get there and realise that is not it. You go and lobby for these developments, and it takes time, sometimes two years,” he added.
