Joseph Osei Owusu, the Member of Parliament for Bekwai has said he is not privy to any changes in the Majority front following the resignation of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu as caucus leader.
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament says Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is no longer the caucus leader after tendering in his resignation. He, however, has no information as to whether a new person has been nominated for the portfolio in the meantime.
“He stood down meaning he is no longer the Majority Leader but as to whether any change has happened or not, I don’t have any information. I’m not aware that any person has been either nominated or discussed or chosen,” he told journalists in Parliament Thursday, February 22, 2024.
Meanwhile, he said he is aware of the Deputy Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, being named as the leader’s replacement per the circular that was making rounds but cannot tell how far the proposition has advanced.
“I saw that name (Afenyo-Markin) before the weekend came. At that time, Kyei was still the Majority Leader so let’s wait and see,” he indicated.
He also expressed his disappointment over Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s resignati on saying he wish he stayed.
“I’m personally disappointed that Kyei decided to step down. He has been a fantastic leader, extremely hardworking and I would have wished that he stayed on till the end,” he disclosed.
The legislator also said he is surprised the Suame MP resigned “but as to what got to him, I’m sure we better left to him to explain.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Richard Baah Amoako of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has condemned the circumstances leading to the resignation of Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
He says the Suame lawmaker deserved a befitting farewell from both caucuses of the House considering the number of years he has served, rather than being forced to resign in such manner.
Dr. Baah Amoako pointed out that the reshuffle in the party with few months to the general elections was not the best approach since many would feel bitter and will subsequently affect the fortunes of the NPP in the December polls.
Despite the Member of Parliament’s claim of resigning, Dr. Baah Amoako believes the process was not befitting of his stature.
“If this is how they want to go about it, it won’t work on their behalf. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has served the party for a long time and this is not how he’s supposed to be excorted out.
“Naturally, for a man of his status, all parliamentarians are to come together and give him a warm goodbye,” he said on Onua FM’s Yɛn Nsɛmpa morning show.
Speaking with Nana Yaa Brefo and JB Thursday, February 22, 2024, the wranglings within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), according to the political scientist, could cost them their dream of ‘Breaking the 8’.
“All of a sudden you take the person out of his position, you make them unsettled and unstable. They haven’t prepared themselves for such change, they will undoubtedly be bitter.
“Now who will you have to support you? People want to see unity, there is complete disunity, chaos is within the party,” he noted.
He also accused the leadership of the party of prioritising political power at the expense of internal unity.
He argues the NPP’s focus on winning the upcoming 2024 elections seems to disregard the collateral damage inflicted on their own members.
“All they are focused on is winning power, it does not matter who they step on in trying to win that power,” he said, adding that the development is “adding to the disunity, it’s unnecessary strife.”
The former Head of the Political Science Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) further highlighted the potential negative impact on the unity of the MPs, suggesting that such abrupt changes could lead to bitterness and wavering commitment to serve.
He stressed the importance of unity, emphasising that the current atmosphere of chaos within the party does not align with the expectations of the public and party members alike.
