The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reaffirmed its position on the need for President Nana Akufo-Addo to reduce the size of his government.

According to the party, it has taken notice of the fact that some Members of Parliament on the side of the NDC Minority for reasons known to themselves, elected to place their “parochial interest” ahead of the interest of Ghanaians, in the appointment of some ministers vetted by government.

The NDC expressed its disappointment as it recalled that the party issued a directive to the Minority Caucus in Parliament to reject the new Ministerial nominees a few weeks ago. This, it explained, was in alignment with the “pervasive view” of Ghanaians that this moment of economic crisis and financial haircuts, calls for the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to show by example that it is willing to reduce its expenditure by downsizing its government among other things.

Owing to the decision by some members of the opposition to vote in favor of the appointment, the NDC condemned the conduct of members of the minority in “no uncertain terms” to vote in favor of these ministers, as it not only betrays the express will of the party, but the desire of the Ghanaian people and constitutes a “massive stab” in the back of the good people of Ghana.

“The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken notice of the outcome of a vote on new Ministerial nominees on the floor of Parliament… The party wishes to reaffirm its principled position for President Akufo-Addo to downsize his bloated government and reset his priorities to reflect the difficult times Ghanaians find themselves in.”
National Democratic Congress

NDC commends leadership for taking stance against ministerial appointment

Contained in a statement signed by Fifi Fiavi Kwete, the General Secretary of the party, it commended highly, the leadership of the Minority caucus in Parliament and Members of Parliament who stayed true to the expectations of the party and the Ghanaian people. In light of this, it expressed that the party will stop at nothing to identify them and publicly laud them in due course.

“Their loyalty and patriotism will not be forgotten. It must be noted that, the National Democratic Congress as a body corporate, has multiple structures, represented by elected and appointed officers who are expected to act in the supreme interest of suffering Ghanaians, particularly the over six (6) million supporters of the party. The party as a corporate entity therefore bears no liability for the deviant action of the few self-seeking Members of Parliament who betrayed the collective cause of the party and the nation.”
National Democratic Congress

Undoubtedly, the NDC highlighted that the country currently faces the biggest economic meltdown in living memory. As such, it is therefore unpardonable for any person, not to talk of a Member of Parliament who believes in the ideals of the NDC, to lend support to the ongoing recklessness by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government.

Furthermore, the NDC stated that it shall continue to hold the government accountable for the socio-economic “quandary” that the country finds itself and present its superior alternatives to Ghanaians in the bid to rescue the soul of the nation.

“We are not oblivious of the fact that, the road to rescue will at a point become rough, howbeit such obstacles only strengthen our resolve to achieve the rescue mission. We shall leave no stone unturned in our quest to bring our dear nation out of our present economic doldrums.”
National Democratic Congress

It will be recalled that parliament approved KT Hammond and the five others after intense voting to take up ministerial appointment. However, the decision by some members of the NDC to vote in favor of the NPP nominees did not sit well with some members of the party.