The Minority Caucus in Parliament is expected to meet with the leadership of the National Democratic Congress on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, to settle some differences over the recent reshuffle. The leadership of the party had, this week, announced a reshuffle of the party’s parliamentary leadership which led to a lot of brouhaha in the country mostly amongst the NDC party members.

As a result of the reshuffle, MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Ketu North, James Klutse Avedzi and the MP for Asawase, Muntaka Mubarak, lost their positions as Minority leader, Deputy Minority leader and Minority Chief Whip respectively.

The aforementioned members of Parliament were replaced by the MP for Ajumako-Enyam-Essiam, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson; MP for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Kofi Buah and MP for Adaklu, Kwame Agbodza as Minority leader, Deputy Minority leader and Minority Chief Whip respectively.

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia justified the reshuffle as part of the strategic restructuring of the party which began from the grassroots level to the flag bearer to better position the party for victory in the 2024 elections.

However, the reshuffle has met stiff opposition from some 60 NDC MPs with claims that they were not consulted about the changes. The newly appointed executives have stressed that the legitimate concerns by colleagues have been duly acknowledged and taken into consideration.

In a statement signed by Kwame Agbodza, the Minority Chief Whip, the newly appointed leadership revealed that a cordial and fruitful meeting had been held with the outgone Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu and that a meeting has been scheduled for, between leadership and party executives at the party headquarters.

“That the party leadership led by the National Chairman has agreed to meet our entire caucus on Tuesday next week, specifically on the 31st of January, 2023.

“We are all committed to party unity and respect for our Caucus. Let’s close ranks and work together to meet the expectations of the struggling Ghanaian people being suffocated by the cruel and corrupt Akufo-Addo government,”
Kwame Agbodza

The stand-off between the NDC MPs following the changes in their leadership has created a chance for a meeting which is scheduled to happen today over the changes in leadership announced by the national executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The Member of Parliament for Anlo, Richard Kwami Sefe stated that the caucus will have a meeting at 10am today to address the concerns since many others including MP for Bolgatanga East, Dominic Ayine and Tamale Central MP, Murtala Muhammed have described the leadership changes as undemocratic and deeply worrying, because no consultations were held with the Minority caucus.

“The meeting is being called at the behest of the outgoing leadership. I believe those who have now been appointed will be part of the discussion. If we meet today, we will be able to discuss the issues thoroughly without emotions and insinuations.

“Probably we will vote on it to see how we will go over this issue. Because if care is not taken, those who are coming may not have peace, and those who are there too, if the party says no, then it’s going to cause us a lot of divisions.”
Richard Kwami Sefe

NDC Mps Divided Amongst Themselves

Aggrieved MPs who have been calling for a meeting have signed a petition to reject the decision of the party. The 44 members of Parliament who signed the petition believe the decision by the party is unfair and unpopular.

However, some 77 MPs have also reportedly signed a different petition to endorse the decision of the party. Reports show that the 77 MPs believe that Dr. Ato Forson and Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah are politically astute and have the quality to lead the party in Parliament.