Former Attorney General Nii Ayikoi Otoo has backed calls for a review of the constitutional provision that allows Members of Parliament to be appointed as Ministers of State.

His comments follow recent suggestions by former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Aaron Oquaye, urging a clear separation between the legislature and the executive to strengthen parliamentary oversight.

Speaking in an interview on Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Ayikoi Otoo said the current arrangement weakens Parliament’s ability to function effectively, as MPs appointed as ministers tend to prioritize their executive roles over their legislative duties.

He further noted that some Majority MPs, who also serve as ministers, often neglect their parliamentary responsibilities altogether.

“Most of these people [MPs], once they’re made Ministers, concentrate on their ministerial work. And they’re unable to serve Parliament to the extent that it is said that in all this, it is the Minority who would rather do the work of Parliament,” he observed.

Ayikoi Otoo proposed a review of the Constitution to allow the President to appoint all or the majority of ministers from outside Parliament, in order to enhance the effectiveness and independence of the legislature.

“The Majority are ministers, and some are chasing contracts and doing all sorts of things, so they wake up in the morning and never go to Parliament. So, the time has come for us to review this decision, and there are some sentiments that the President should be given the power either to appoint all his ministers from outside Parliament or that the majority of Ministers from Parliament should give way. This is the position,” he stated.