Following President-elect John Dramani Mahama’s victory speech, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Member of Parliament-elect for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam and Minority Leader of the 8th Parliament, has made significant reassurance regarding the incoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration’s plans.
His remarks centered on the party’s commitment to fulfilling campaign promises, resetting the country’s trajectory, and leveraging the overwhelming majority in Parliament to bring impactful change to Ghana.
Dr. Forson reiterated the NDC’s pledge to make certain important reformations immediately after President John Dramani is sworn into office. He remarked;
“It’s a promise that he’s made, and I can assure you that the first budget of the NDC will scrap the E-Levy without a doubt. We are not going to back on it. We’ll scrap the E-Levy. We’ll scrap the betting tax. These two taxes would go.”
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Parliament-elect for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam and Minority Leader of the 8th Parliament
According to Dr. Ato Forson, on the NDC’s first budget, he reiterated;
“His Excellency, the President, was emphatic, and he said it’s going to happen in the first 120 days. There is a reason why he said the first 120 days. Simply put, is the first budget. So that’s going to happen. We are not running away from that. It’s a solemn promise from him to the people of Ghana.”
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Parliament-elect for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam and Minority Leader of the 8th Parliament
Reflecting on the NDC’s performance in the parliamentary elections, Dr. Ato Forson expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for granting the party a decisive majority in Parliament. He added;
“Our research pointed to something in the region of 160 to 169, but we were quite conservative and pegged it to about 150. But today, we have an overwhelming majority. We have 186 confirmed seats, and it can be 188. Going forward, I think it is the will of the people.
The ordinary Ghanaian has spoken. The people of Ghana have spoken in a way that is so clear for all of us to abide by- we waged a successful campaign. Our manifesto was very open and clear, without ambiguity. Obviously, I can tell you for a fact that the people of Ghana bought into our manifesto and voted for us.”
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Parliament-elect for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam and Minority Leader of the 8th Parliament
The Role of Parliament: Not a Rubber Stamp
Dr. Ato Forson rejected suggestions that the NDC’s parliamentary majority would render Parliament a rubber stamp. he argued;
“I don’t think so, it is up to the new opposition, the NPP, to position themselves and argue their case out. We never had a majority. It was somehow a hung Parliament with an NPP majority of one. They were successful in pushing some of their things through, but we in the NDC were also able to argue some cases out and got them to back out. So, they can, if they decide to.’’
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Parliament-elect for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam and Minority Leader of the 8th Parliament
Dr. Ato Forson emphasized the importance of responsible governance. He vehemently stated;
“Ghana needs an urgent reset. The status quo cannot continue. That is why we have this overwhelming majority with a big mandate. It is up to the NDC to use this majority well to benefit the people of Ghana. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Parliament-elect for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam and Minority Leader of the 8th Parliament
Dr. Ato Forson’s remarks underscored the NDC’s determination to deliver on its promises and bring meaningful change to Ghana. With an overwhelming majority in Parliament and a clear mandate from the people, the NDC has positioned itself to enact transformative policies
His assurance of scrapping unpopular taxes, coupled with the party’s readiness to address Ghana’s pressing challenges, signals a new era of governance under the leadership of John Dramani Mahama.
Meanwhile, as the first budget of the new administration looms, Ghanaians eagerly anticipate the implementation of these pledges. Dr. Ato Forson’s closing words encapsulated the gravity of the task ahead.
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