The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey said the decision to remove certain people from some positions and introduce others into such positions is apt and works best for the collective, other than individual interest.

The General Gecretary of the NDC has defended their decision to shake up its leadership in Parliament. He makes mention to the masses that persons who ought to have been consulted were consulted appropriately. The former President and former flag bearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama was consulted and his views were duly echoed.

“This decision was taken after wide consultation. If you look at the apex leadership of the party, consultation was done. In terms of parliamentary, the group that is widely consulted bears witness that consultation has been done. What needed to be done about this reshuffling was done and the people duly consulted. All the key leaders have been consulted. There is no need for questions to be raised.”
Fifi Fiavi Kwetey

According to Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the former President, John Dramani Mahama was consulted with his opinions widely reflecting in the situation at hand. “The new and old leaders were informed prior to public announcement and consulted. They were given ample time to come to terms with the new developments and prepare themselves for questions to be raised by their members”, he noted.

The current leadership of the NDC in Parliament has been changed on all front with Dr Cassiel Ato Forson taking over from Haruna Iddrisu as the new Minority Leader: the Ellembelle MP, Kofi Armah Buah replacing James Klutse Avedzi as Deputy Minority Leader.

Kwame Agbodza becomes the Chief Whip by taking over from Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka for the opposition side and will be deputized by Banda MP, Ahmed Ibrahim and Ada legislator, Comfort Doyo Ghansah respectively.

Those proposed to lead NDC in Parliament are surprised

The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central Constituency, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, expressed shock at the decision by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to change the party’s leadership in Parliament. The MP said there was no consultation whatsoever with the caucus before the release.

“Every single Member of Parliament is surprised and I can tell you that even those who have been proposed to take leadership, some of them are surprised that such a proposal is made without even consulting them.”
Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed

The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central Constituency condemned the mode of communication, saying as an MP he got wind of the decision on social media like many other NDC MPs but that is not how things are meant to be done or handled.

“The NDC is a democratic party. We have touted ourselves as the pacesetters of this democracy. The NDC gave birth to the 1992 Constitution for which reason we have all collectively agreed to chart the path of democracy.”
Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed

Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed therefore, indicated that NDC should be the last to disregard democratic tenets and by making such a decision without consulting the group – or caucus – it affects, to him, means disrespect.

The former Nanton MP said his experience of having been in the Sixth Parliament and even the Eighth Parliament tells him that there is active consultation between the party’s leadership and the caucus prior to such decisions.

Rescind Your Decision

The former Majority Leader, Cletus Avoka has also called on the party to immediately reverse the decision, describing it as unpopular and unfortunate. Some NDC party supporters in Tamale South have also given the party a 24-hour ultimatum to rescind the decision or face their wrath.

Fifi Kwetey in response said the decision has been taken and will not be reversed. He said the party will proceed with the leadership changes when Parliament resumes in February.

“The leadership of the party at the highest level has taken a decision and that is just what it is. You cannot set up a precedent where decisions by the leadership of the party are now going to be an issue of the caucus. The leadership of the party in Parliament is appointed by the leadership of the party. It is not something that is done by the caucus of the party”.
Fifi Kwetey

According to Fifi Kwetey, the party only had to inform Haruna Iddrisu of the decision and not consult him on his removal. The chief scribe said the regional balance of swing regions and economic issues ahead of the 2024 elections were highly factored in this decision.