The planned meeting that the Minority in parliament was going to have with the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday, January 31 over the removal of Haruna Idrisu, Muntaka Mubarak and James Kluste Avedzi as Minority Leader, Minority Chief Whip, and Deputy Minority Leader respectively, has been postponed indefinitely.
TV3’s Parliamentary correspondent Komla Kluste reported that the National Council of the NDC is inviting the members who have petitioned against the changes to first hear on their concerns.
The Council of Elders urged all MPs of the party, leadership at all levels and, indeed, all concerned members to refrain from further public pronouncement on the recent changes to the Minority leadership.
According to the Council, this was in the larger interest of the party.
“This is a time to be circumspect in order not to play into the hands of our detractors,” the Council said in a statement issued on Saturday, January 28.
Signed by Chairman Alhaji Mumuni Iddrisu, the statement disclosed that a petition has been received from some members of the Minority Caucus regarding the changes.
“The Council has initiated steps to act expeditiously on the petition and related matters,” Alhaji Iddrisu stated.
“While this process is underway, the Council urges our Honourable Members of Parliament, Party leadership at all levels and all concerned persons to refrain from further public pronouncements on the matter in the larger interest of our great NDC.”
The Council assured the rank and file of the party of an “early” and “principled” resolution of the issues for the NDC “will emerge stronger and more united”.
“We urge all members of the NDC to re-dedicate themselves to working for victory in the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in 2024, to alleviate the suffering of the Ghanaian people.”
The NDC on Tuesday, January 24 wrote to the Speaker of Parliament through its General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, to ring changes to the Minority leadership.
Hitherto Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu was replaced by the Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, while Deputy Minority Leader, James Klutse Avedzi, was replaced by Ranking Member on the Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
Minority Chief Whip Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed was also replaced by Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee Governs Kwame Agbodza.
The 1st and 2nd Deputy Minority Whips – Ahmed Ibrahim and Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah respectively – were, however, maintained.
The changes have divided the font of the Minority.
For instance, Zebilla East Member of Parliament Cleruc Avoka said the Speaker of Parliament has not informed the Minority caucus and the entire House of any changes made to the leadership of the Minority therefore, Haruna Iddrisu and the other removed leaders of the opposition lawmakers still remain at pos.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Thursday, January 26, he said “For us there is no reshuffle yet, the Speaker has not communicated to us.”
Muntaka Mubarak who is also lawmaker for Asawase asked the NDC to sit up.
He is unhappy with the changes that have been made to the leadership of the Minority by the party.
