Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, before tendering in his resignation to the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as Majority Leader said he has no regrets serving the party for the past 27 years.
Disclosing his reason for laying down his garment as leader of the Majority caucus, the seven-time Member of Parliament for Suame in the Ashanti region said the brouhaha surrounding calls for his resignation which was opposed by a section of the caucus needed to be settled.
At a meeting involving the President, the Majority caucus and the national officers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Wednesday, February 22, 2024, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu indicated that “I do not want to be the eye of the storm” adding that he believes he has served his party well.
Recalling his first day in the House of Legislature with President Akufo-Addo almost three decades ago, he said he had no regrets for the period he has served the party and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to talk to his colleagues once again.
“I have served the party diligently ever since I entered Parliament on the same day, January 7th 1997, with the President. I believe I have served the party very well to the best of my ability, and I have no regrets,” he noted.
The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs indicated that the NPP has a difficult task ahead of them to extend their two terms of office which requires a united front from all stakeholders, the reason he cannot afford to be the reason for divisive front.
“There is a difficult battle ahead of us, to which enterprise all of us must commit ourselves. We are at a critical juncture that requires absolute unity and peace within our ranks to successfully prosecute the “Breaking the 8 Agenda”.
“In my absence from the country, certain issues had been raised to which I have been connected. I do not want to be the eye of the storm. Nothing should be done that would precipitate cataclysmic consequences. That is why I am stressing peace and unity,” he read to the gathering at the Jubilee House.
He continued that, “at this stage, I would want to inform Mr. President, the Members of Leadership, herein present, the Leadership of the Party, and all others, that I voluntarily declare my intent to step down as the Majority Leader before you my colleagues here and now, in order to afford the Caucus the opportunity to choose their leader.”
He thanked his colleagues for their support throughout his time as leader of the caucus in in propagating the agenda of the party and the nation as well.
“For those of my colleagues who are here, let me express my most sincere gratitude to you all for the partnership and assistance that you have provided to propel the agenda of the Party, and latterly, government,” he expressed.
There were reports of a possible reshuffle in the Majority leadership. Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was said to have been replaced by his Deputy Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin.
But the decision which was item 5 on the agenda for the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting Monday, February 19, 2024, was skipped, after which First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu, addressed the media to announce that the caucus was not in support of the idea of changing the leadership.
There were others within the caucus who also supported the idea of reshuffling the leadership, creating a division the last few days. The resignation of the Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, many believe, will put matters to rest.
Even if there is 1% possibility, let’s bring back Alan – Kyei Mensah-Bonsu
