Prof. Ransford Yaw Gyampo of the University of Ghana Political Science department has expressed disappointment in the leadership of the NPP for the letter issued to the Majority caucus in Parliament to abstain from the vote of censure against Ken Ofori-Atta.
According to the Professor, what the leadership of the New Patriotic Party did “breaches the fundamental concept of representation” by the parliamentarians.
Speaking Saturday, November 12, 2022 on TV3’s The KeyPoints, the political analyst was of the view that, should any pressure be mounted on legislators, it should emanate from the constituents whose interest is the primary responsibility of the MPs and not political parties.
“I was very disappointed in the NPP for the letter they issued to the Majority to abstain from the vote of censure against the Finance Minister.
“The foremost function of parliamentarians is representation not even legislation so if there is any pressure that should come on parliamentarians, it should come from constituents not a political party,” he indicated.
He, however held that the Majority’s reason for not supporting the exercise might not be because of what the NPP issued but based on their own reasons.
Background
Leadership of the New Patriotic Party asked members of the Majority in Parliament to abstain from the voting on the motion of censure filed by the Minority caucus.
According to the party, the motive of the Minority was to thwart the government’s effort at the IMF being led by the Finance Minister, aside other self seeking motivated reasons which which they asked the Majority not to entertain.
In a release signed by the party’s General Secretary Wednesday, November 9, 2022, Justin Kodua Frimpong said “the demand of the NDC-led Minority Caucus is ill-intended and aimed at derailing government’s efforts at resolving current socio-economic upheavals.”
Read below the full release:
November 9, 2022
For Immediate Release
NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY ASKS MEMBERS OF THE MAJORITY CAUCUS TO ABSTAIN FROM VOTE OF CENSURE AGAINST THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE
The leadership of the New Patriotic Party, following broader consultations and engagements with stakeholders, has resolved and hereby directs all members of the Majority Caucus in Parliament to abstain from a scheduled vote of censure being sought by the Minority Caucus against Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister for Finance.
By this directive, the leadership of the Majority Caucus especially the Whips are to ensure that no Member of the Majority Caucus partakes in this exercise by the Minority Group in Parliament
While the National Executive body acknowledges the prevailing socio-economic conditions in the country and the need for urgent remedial interventions, it is our utmost position that the demand of the NDC-led Minority Caucus is ill-intended and aimed at derailing government’s efforts at resolving current socio-economic upheavals.
The leadership acknowledges that the Minister for Finance is the leader of government’s negotiation team with the International Monetary Fund. Considering that negotiation with the IMF is nearly completed, the National Executive body of the Party strongly believes that the removal of the lead person spearheading the negotiation may adversely impact the progress made thus far.
It is worth noting that when similar calls were made for the head of Mr. Seth Tepker, the then Minister for Finance during the socio-economic turbulence under the erstwhile Mahama administration in 2015, the NDC-led Majority Caucus objected to those calls and rose to the defence of Mr. Tekper, a clear indication that the NDC lacks credibility on this matter.
Accordingly, neither the NPP nor its Members of Parliament will lend support to this mischievous move by the NDC legislators as it is one of their many ill-motivated and self-serving but unpatriotic moves to sabotage the NPP government and frustrate the administration of the country.
The leadership of the NPP wishes to assure our Members of Parliament and the Ghanaian populace that there are ongoing internal engagements aimed at addressing legitimate concerns expressed by various stakeholders regarding the management of the economy, including calls for the resignation or dismissal of the Minister for Finance.
SIGNED
JUSTIN KODUA FRIMPONG
(GENERAL SECRETARY).
By Felix Anim-Appau|Onuaonline.com
