The Member of Parliament for Kwabre East, Hon. Onyina Acheampong Akwasi Gyamfi, has shed light on the financial and physical challenges associated with entering politics. Speaking on Orange Sunrise with host Alfa Ali, the MP revealed the burdens aspiring politicians face, the financial sacrifices they make, and the reality of serving as an opposition MP in Ghana’s Parliament.
The Cost of Political Ambition
Hon. Onyina admitted that running for office is both physically demanding and financially draining. He explained that while serving one’s constituents should be based on competence, commitment, and experience, the reality is different. Aspiring MPs often invest heavily in their campaigns, sometimes without recouping their expenses.
“if it is not some kind of a calling or you are not really prepared for it, then you mess up or you regret the decision as you go along because the compensation cannot be compared to the investment,” he stated.
The Kwabre East MP emphasized that this situation needs to change.”It shouldn’t be the case, I must say. It shouldn’t be like you want to serve your people and you have to pay so much. Cough up huge sums of money in order to serve your people. It should be something like you look at your competence, you look at the ability, [and] you look at your experience. Your commitment to the task. And then they decide to give you the nod,” he added.
Life as an MP and the Realities of Politics
Hon. Onyina acknowledged that many professionals enter politics expecting significant benefits, only to be met with a different reality. “The hype of being a member of parliament, far outweighs the reality,” he said. He, however, agreed that the prestige associated with the position, although enormous, is dependent on what motivates you. He said, “The prestige associated with it is also high; it is also enormous. And so, it depends on what you’re looking for, and what satisfies you, what motivates you as an individual.”
He referenced Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, explaining that, at a certain point in life, fulfillment comes from making a difference rather than financial gains. “And at that point, it’s not about the money, it’s not about the satisfaction that you derive from doing what you do,” he stated.
The Kwabre East MP also addressed the common perception that opposition MPs lack support. While some describe them as “orphans” in Parliament, he disagreed. “There are actually fathers to run to. There are a lot of mentors around,” he said. “When you get to the chamber, it’s not strictly about politics. When it comes to committee work, as I’ve been made to understand, it’s not about the politics. It’s about the country and how we build the country and how we make sure the country is running. So, in there, you’ll find a lot of mentors, a lot of people who will guide you.”
Discussing political rivalries, Hon. Onyina admitted that some conflicts among supporters are deliberately fueled. It’s the divide-and-rule kind of stuff. People want you to think that they are fighting so that you show your allegiance, you can support them.”
However, he noted that inside Parliament, the reality is different.
Background of Hon. Onyina Acheampong
Before venturing into politics, Hon. Onyina was a businessman. After completing his degree in psychology at the University of Cape Coast in 2001, he spent five years in the UK before returning to Ghana to work in the cocoa industry.
He began his career with Sompa and later joined Ecom Ghana. Rising through the ranks, he served as a district officer, area manager, and operations manager before becoming the acting head of the Licensed Buying Company (LBC). In 2017, he was appointed general manager, overseeing cocoa, cashew, and transport operations.
Hon. Onyina Acheampong explained that he eventually sought new challenges. “At some point you reach a saturation point,” he explained. “The job was good, but I needed something different. I want to impact the lives of people. And, you know, my previous job was giving me that in some respect, until I got to the point that I couldn’t interact with the people again because of my position.”
As Hon. Onyina Acheampong continues his tenure, he remains focused on serving his constituents in Kwabre East and making a meaningful impact despite the financial and political hurdles that come with the role.
