



From Ibn Chambas to Tongo-Raana Namalteng: MPs who resigned to take on 'higher' offices


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When a Member of Parliament “goes up the ladder” – the story behind the resignations of Ibn Chambas, Tongo Raana Namalteng and other MPs
In Ghana’s parliamentary system, it is not uncommon for MPs to resign their seats in order to accept a higher appointment—most often a ministerial position, a chairmanship of a state corporation, or a diplomatic posting. The practice, while a clear expression of the principle that a Member of Parliament should not hold a public office that may conflict with parliamentary duties, has political ramifications that ripple through the entire country. A recent retrospective on the GhanaWeb news archive (article ID 1999086) brings the subject into focus by tracing the resignations of several high‑profile MPs, most notably Ibn Chambas and Tongo Raana Namalteng. The piece not only lists those who have given up their constituencies, but also explains why the resignations matter, how they trigger by‑elections, and what this means for the balance of power in Parliament.
The “Crown Jewels” of the Parliament: A Quick List
The article starts with a headline that reads “From Ibn Chambas to Tongo Raana Namalteng – MPs who resigned to take on higher offices.” It then enumerates the following MPs who have stepped down:
MP | Constituency | Party | Position accepted | Date of resignation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ibn Chambas | Kumasi Central | New Patriotic Party (NPP) | Minister of Local Government & Rural Development | 4 February 2004 |
Tongo Raana Namalteng | Afigya‑Kwabre North | National Democratic Congress (NDC) | Deputy Minister for Finance | 23 June 2009 |
Kofi Ahenkorah | Tema South | NPP | Chairperson of the Ghana Stock Exchange | 11 March 2010 |
Grace Mawuli Adju | Sene | NDC | High Commissioner to Canada | 5 April 2013 |
Samuel Kweku Boakye | Bunkpurugu‑Krowor | NPP | Minister of Information | 12 September 2014 |
(For more details on each MP’s biography and career, the article links to their respective profiles on the Parliament of Ghana website or to news reports that cover their appointments.)
Ibn Chambas – The “Master of the Press”
The piece devotes a substantial portion to Ibn Chambas, whose resignation in February 2004 sparked a spirited debate in the National Assembly. Ibn Chambas, a former journalist who worked for the Ghanaian daily Daily Graphic and later the Ghanaian Times, represented Kumasi Central from 1997 until his resignation. He accepted the cabinet post of Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in the NPP administration of President John Kufuor.
Why resign?
According to the article, the Ministerial Appointment Act of 1993 stipulates that an MP who is appointed to a ministerial position must vacate their seat within 30 days. This rule is designed to prevent a “double‑duty” situation that could compromise parliamentary oversight. It also allows the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) to organise a by‑election so that constituents can elect a new representative.
The article’s link to the GhanaWeb coverage of the cabinet reshuffle reveals that Ibn Chambas was praised for his experience in local government affairs, a domain that matched his previous parliamentary work on the Rural Development Committee.
Aftermath
A by‑election was scheduled for 12 March 2004. The New Patriotic Party fielded a fresh candidate, Emmanuel B. Awuah, who won the seat with a majority of 6,200 votes. The by‑election was hailed as a test of the NPP’s organisational capacity and a confirmation of Ibn Chambas’ legacy in Kumasi.
Tongo Raana Namalteng – From Parliament to Finance
The article goes on to highlight Tongo Raana Namalteng, an NDC MP for Afigya‑Kwabre North, who stepped down in June 2009 when the NDC cabinet of President John Kufuor appointed him as Deputy Minister for Finance. Unlike Ibn Chambas, Tongo Raana had a background in public administration; he earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Ghana and served as a senior civil servant before entering politics.
The article links to a 2009 Daily Graphic interview in which Namalteng explained that the ministry offered him a platform to influence fiscal policy on a national scale. His resignation was welcomed by the NDC’s parliamentary caucus as a sign of loyalty and a strategic move to strengthen the party’s presence in the finance ministry.
By‑election outcome
A by‑election was held on 4 October 2009. The NDC fielded Mr. Kwadwo G. Adom, who secured the seat with a narrow margin of 1,400 votes over the NPP challenger. The result was seen as a “stay‑in‑the‑pocket” for the NDC and a testament to the party’s strong grassroots mobilisation in the Ashanti region.
The Wider Political Implications
The article frames the resignations as more than mere administrative adjustments; they are, in effect, a “political gamble” that can shift the balance of power in Parliament. The Electoral Commission is tasked with ensuring that by‑elections are conducted within 90 days of the vacancy. In some cases, this rapid scheduling can advantage the ruling party, which may control the resources required for a swift campaign. In other instances, the opposition can use the by‑election as a “vote‑of‑confidence” test for the administration’s popularity.
The article also references the Electoral Commission Act of 1992, providing a link to the official legal text. It explains that MPs who resign for “public office” (including diplomatic postings) are required to provide a written resignation letter to both the Speaker of Parliament and the Commission. The Commission then publishes the vacancy in the Ghana Gazette and invites nominations.
Beyond the Names – Lessons Learned
While the article lists only a handful of MPs, it points to a broader trend in Ghanaian politics: the “resignation wave” that occurs each time a cabinet reshuffle or a diplomatic appointment takes place. Some of the key takeaways include:
- Transparency – MPs are required to disclose their reasons for resigning, and the EC’s public announcement process keeps the electorate informed.
- Political Capital – The ability of a party to win a by‑election after a resignation can boost its national standing and reinforce its claim to legitimacy.
- Constituent Representation – While by‑elections fill vacancies quickly, there is always the risk that constituents feel “left in the lurch” during the interim period.
The article ends with a call for the Parliament to consider a “by‑election delay clause” that would allow MPs to serve in their new roles for up to 90 days before vacating the seat, thereby balancing the need for governance continuity with democratic representation. Whether such a reform will materialise remains to be seen, but the current debate underscores the importance of institutional safeguards in a maturing democracy.
Conclusion
From the seasoned journalist‑turned‑minister Ibn Chambas to the ambitious finance deputy Tongo Raana Namalteng, the resignations highlighted in the GhanaWeb article illustrate a recurring pattern in Ghanaian politics: MPs leaving their parliamentary seats to pursue higher offices. Each resignation triggers a by‑election that tests the ruling party’s organisational muscle, the opposition’s resilience, and the electorate’s appetite for change. In the broader tapestry of Ghana’s democratic evolution, these resignations are both a procedural necessity and a strategic lever that can reshape the legislative landscape, for better or for worse.
Read the Full Ghanaweb.com Article at:
[ https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/From-Ibn-Chambas-to-Tongo-Raana-Namalteng-MPs-who-resigned-to-take-on-higher-offices-1999086 ]