You don’t need a degree to be MP – Former Majority Leader

A Former Majority Leader, Cletus Avoka has said that an individual does not necessarily need a tertiary education certificate to become a Member of Parliament (MP).

In an interview on GBC, the former MP said a parliamentarian needs to be well informed, be cooperative and have respect for people from various governments he or she works with.

His comment follows a recent report by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) which stated that most constituents claim their MPs should have a higher level of education to be able to work efficiently in the legislature.

However, the former MP for Zibila said: “There is some justification in that demand, but I won’t say you need a tertiary educational certificate.”

He argued that though a degree is not necessary, one must have a better CV to increase one’s credibility.

Arguing that especially on an international mission investors look at people they deal with when making negotiations.

“If they look at your CV and discover you have a low level of education, the value of respect they give to you will be very much little as compared to someone with a higher level.”

On the contrary, the former MP also hinted that “Ghanaian Parliamentarians have always been nicely received by the outside world because of the level of education and the respect they have for them when it comes to educational matters and proficiency.”