Editorial News of Monday, 30 January 2023

Source: starrfm.com.gh

Shakeup: Minority leadership wasn’t cooperating with Speaker – Asiedu Nketiah

Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, NDC National Chairman

National Chairman for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah says the decision to reshuffle the minority leadership was based on a lack of cooperation with the Speaker.

Addressing the NDC UK/Ireland Chapter Mr. Asiedu indicated that the situation was largely problematic hence the decision to effect those changes with the NDC minority leadership in Parliament.

“My priorities in Parliament is to see cooperation in Parliament and to see our Parliamentary caucus working together and also cooperating with the Speaker of Parliament.

“Why did we struggle to get an NDC person elected as the Speaker of Parliament? There are certainly some advantages and those advantages can be tapped into when your leadership is cooperating with the Speaker of Parliament,” the National Chairman stated.

He continued: “So we cannot have a situation where the NPP leadership is cooperating with the Speaker while our leadership the NDC has challenges in cooperating with the Speaker. If you are given a party whose leadership is not working together what will you do? You make the changes or you resign and I am not ready to resign.”

Background

The NDC has made changes to its leadership in Parliament with the appointment of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as the new Minority Leader.

The former Ranking Member of the Finance Committee of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan Essiam replaces Haruna Iddrisu.

Dr. Ato Forson is to be assisted by MP for Ellembele, Kofi Armah Buah who has been appointed as the Deputy Minority Leader.

He takes the place of James Kutse Avedzi.

The Party has also appointed Adaklu MP, Governs Kwame Agbodza as the new Minority Chief Whip. He replaces Asawase MP, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak.

Both Ahmed Ibrahim and Comfort Doyoe Ghansah maintained their position as deputy Minority Whips.

A statement issued by the General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Kwetey said: “the new leadership would be charged to recommend consequential changes in the Ranking membership to Headquarters of the party for approval.”