The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for the Asawase Constituency, Muntaka Mubarak, has debunked claims that members of the minority caucus were all consulted before the new leaders were announced.
Cassiel Ato Forson’s selection as the new Minority leader in Parliament has angered some NDC supporters across the nation, particularly in Tamale South, where the former caucus leader, Haruna Iddrisu, is an MP.
Some angry supporters want the decision to be changed, but the National Chairman of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, and the General Secretary of the party, Fifi Kwetey, think it is best for the party to go ahead with it.
Addressing the press in Parliament on Thursday, Muntaka said at no point was the former leadership consulted before the new leaders were announced.
“At no such meeting was this issue brought up for discussion. So it is clear that the letter may have been written by the General Secretary, but it’s a decision by a few people, and we believe that our party should sit up because Article 55 of the 1997 constitution enjoins us to follow democratic processes,” he said
“We were never consulted. Rumours that some elders were sent to talk to us are not true. We do not think it is acceptable for us as parliamentarians to watch on as leaders are chosen for us,” the former Minority Chief Whip fumed.
The Asawase MP went on further to deny that, Ato Forson had a fruitful discussion with his predecessor, Haruna Iddrisu, and that there was no problem at all.
“I can tell you that the meeting was not fruitful. He mentioned some measures that they had to take, but that was not done. I can tell you that he was irritated at the meeting,” Muntaka clarified
Meanwhile, MP for Zebilla East Cletus Avoka called on the party leadership to reverse their decision and do a proper consultation.
“The basis for our prayer is that the party suspends the reshuffling as indicated by the General Secretary until such a time that a holistic meeting of stakeholders with consultations before a decision is taken.”
“It is on this backdrop that the national executives of the party a few weeks ago decided that all appointees in the party and parliament should remain in office after we conclude the parliamentary and presidential primaries.” We are therefore surprised that the reshuffling is reaching the caucus in Parliament. We think that this is premature.”
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com