Members of Parliament (MPs) are grappling with mounting pressure as they attempt to balance their lawmaking responsibilities with growing demands from their constituents, according to the minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

He spoke at the 2036 Speaker’s Breakfast Forum.

According to the Effutu MP, many MPs are increasingly serving as the first point of call for community concerns, despite their primary constitutional duty being legislation and oversight.

Research presented at the forum revealed that in some constituencies, between 40 and 73 percent of residents consider their MP the main avenue for addressing local challenges.

The Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin ESQ noted that these expectations often result in informal engagements at social events, funerals and even at the private residences of MPs — a development he says blurs the lines between personal life and official responsibility.

The forum, which seeks to strengthen citizen engagement, highlighted parliamentary decentralisation as a possible solution.

Participants proposed the establishment of structured constituency offices to streamline interactions, clarify institutional roles and allow MPs to focus more effectively on their legislative mandate.

The discussions form part of broader efforts to bring Parliament closer to the people while safeguarding the core functions of lawmakers.