Former Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta-Akyea, has identified the incessant personal and financial demands placed on MPs by constituents as the most difficult hurdle he faced during his 16 years in Parliament, describing it as a burden that often overshadows the core legislative work of the office.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Friday, January 9, 2026, the four-term MP and a leading member of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team said public expectations that MPs must personally finance the needs of entire constituencies make political life emotionally and financially draining.
“Being in Parliament itself is not the challenge. With some average intelligence and a teachable spirit, anybody can learn the work in the chamber.
“The most difficult part is what I call bankrolling poverty. People assume you have deep pockets and must meet their needs,” he said.
Mr Atta-Akyea explained that MPs are often treated as the “father of the whole constituency,” expected to fund funerals, naming ceremonies, church harvests, medical bills, and other social obligations, regardless of their personal means.
According to him, the problem starts even before one becomes an MP, with aspirants expected to spend heavily during elections and internal party contests, creating a culture where public office is seen as something one must first pay for before serving.
“It has become a very funny culture. You want to serve, but before you are allowed to serve, you must pay. Then, when you get there, people say you came not to do much, but just to sort out problems, buy coffins, throw money around.”
He noted that while helping people is important, the growing sense of entitlement among constituents can be “cruel,” especially when demands are made without regard to an MP’s resources.
“There is this mindset that once you are an MP, whether you have money or not, you must meet my needs,” he said.
“I believe that was the most difficult dimension of what I did. Not standing in plenary and making a good argument. Those are matters that you can always learn. But I could tell you that the 16 years as a Member of Parliament for Abukwa South, the most difficult dimension was an incessant demand for your resources.”
Touching on delegate inducement and campaign spending, Mr Atta-Akyea admitted that monetary expectations have become embedded in the political culture, even though he said he was fortunate not to face contests in all his elections.
“They will not only look at your competence; they will also look at your pocket,” he said, warning that capable and principled individuals are often sidelined simply because they lack financial strength.
He argued that the trend discourages competent but less-resourced individuals from entering public service and called for a national conversation on redefining the expectations placed on elected officials.
“If you are not well-resourced and don’t have private success, don’t force yourself into the public space,” he cautioned, adding that the current system risks turning politics into an arena only for the wealthy rather than the capable.
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