The Minority Caucus in Parliament has vowed to continue holding the government and its officials accountable despite what it describes as attempts to silence its members.
The caucus said it would not be intimidated or deterred from performing its oversight responsibilities following the Speaker’s decision on Tuesday, November 3 to walk out on Damongo MP Samuel Abu Jinapor for making unsubstantiated claims without evidence.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, November 4, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin said neither Jinapor nor the caucus would be silenced in the discharge of their parliamentary duties.
“Honourable Jinapor shall not be silenced. The caucus shall not be silenced. We shall hold the government and its functionaries accountable, as Ghanaians have entrusted us to do,” Afenyo-Markin said.
The Minority also challenged Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to uphold the principles he championed while in opposition, insisting that he should not be shielded from scrutiny over the expenditure on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.
It argued that Mr Ablakwa had been outspoken and uncompromising when he was in opposition and should now be prepared to defend those same principles while serving in government
“Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa himself was never silenced. In opposition, he was loud; he never compromised. Therefore, this is not the time to shield him. He must come out and defend the very principles he stood for in opposition,” the caucus stated.
The Minority further vowed to remain resolute in its parliamentary oversight role, despite any pressure it might face.
“Whatever pressure comes our way, we shall return to our duty with steady hearts, with clear voices and unbroken resolve. This is the mighty Minority,” it added.
