The opposition People’s National Convention (PNC) is very concerned that the Minority in Parliament’s decision to boycott proceedings in support of some of its fellow members may result in a loss of revenue to the government.

Therefore, the PNC has requested that the Finance Minister impose a surcharge on all Minority members on days when they will be absent from the House. This was said in a statement released on Friday, July 7 by Janet Asana Nabla, the General Secretary of the PNC.

As much as the Minority is free to voice their support for any member, the statement noted that “the decision to boycott sitting due to criminal charges instituted by the republic against their colleague is worrying.”

“An opposition party which professes to believe in the rule of law is expected to have faith in the legal system of our nation where they held the reins of power some few years ago.
“The Minority Members in Parliament at this moment is causing financial loss to the state by abandoning their Parliamentary business to go to court to protest for their colleague. For how long will the Minority in Parliament continue this boycott of parliamentary sitting at the expense of the tax payer?”
PNC

As stated by the PNC, MPs from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) should also abstain from parliamentary sessions in support of their constituents who are facing any kind of trial, if the minority wants to support its colleagues in court.

“As legislators, we expect them to demonstrate their commitment to rule of law as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. Politicization of criminal proceedings must not be encouraged at all levels if we seek to hold the tenet of rule of law.”
PNC

It also encouraged the media and public society to summon the NDC MPs to order.

In support of its leader Dr. Ato Baah Forson, Asutifi South MP Collins Dauda, and Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson, the Minority has decided to abstain from the parliamentary proceedings, whenever any of them goes to court for a hearing.

Minority Boycotts Are Unsustainable

Dr. Rasheed Draman, the Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), expressed that the minority would have to rethink its decision to abstain from attending parliament in solidarity of their colleagues who are facing legal proceedings.

According to Dr. Draman, such boycotts will not last very long, especially if the cases take a very long time to move through the courts.

“It might be difficult to sustain particularly if the cases are going to travel a very long period like many cases in our country. I don’t think the NDC caucus can afford to be out of parliament for that long. So perhaps a relook at this strategy might be necessary on their part.”
Dr. Rasheed Draman

On Thursday, July 6, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) minority in parliament skipped the session to allow its members to support and accompany two of its members: the minority leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and representative for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson. The Attorney General and the NPP Government’s respective ongoing legal cases against the two involved court appearances.

In a statement, the Minority Chief Whip , Governs Kwame Agbodza said that because the Minority is standing with its colleagues, the House will not be able to conduct business as usual.