The former Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah has lashed out at some supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over what he estimates to be false self-entitlement on their part. This is based on comments many NDC party members have made about Haruna Iddrisu being removed and replaced by Ato Forson and others.

Spio-Garbrah is particularly unhappy with the rejoinder of most members of the NDC in the Tamale Constituency over the removal of Haruna Iddrisu as minority leader. He further said that the misconduct of the people of Tamale is due to the misconception that they enjoy some benefits or special treatment when they have one of their own town members or an individual from their region in such positions.

“Some of them believe that when their MP is in a position, it inures to their advantage but they need to think about the future of the party. The people from the North will claim that they’ve lost some position but our flagbearer for the past ten years is from the North. The Voltarian’s have not complained about it. There have been no complaints from the Western and Ashanti caucus so they need to understand that it is just time.”
Spio-Garbrah

However, he claimed that the Council of Elders chairman was also from the North as well and as such the Northerners were very well represented. As such, when they lose on person in an upper echelon position, it does not change anything and they should remember that those people are still in parliament and their experience can still be used.

The former Minister of Trade and Industry prompted them that whereas members in support of Ato Forson may be happy that their own has been appointed, members of the party supporting Haruna Iddrisu may be unhappy with the decision and this could be vice versa in other terms. This does not mean anyone has the right to hit the streets and protest against their decision made. He said that whatever decision made was in the interest of the entire party and not a select few.

Asamoah Gyan Is No Longer Team Captain

Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah likened the situation of Honourable Haruna Iddrisu to that of the former Black Stars Captain, Asamoah Gyan. He warned that just as Asamoah Gyan despite decades of serving the country was removed, Haruna is no exception and was going to be removed at some point in life.

“Asamoah Gyan does not play football any longer. He is no longer a team captain, does it mean that someone has done something wrong? There comes a time when there is a need for changes in position. If you are in a team and the coach rings changes, it doesn’t mean the manager is against you. It just means that the manager wants the progress of the team.
Spio-Garbrah

He informed that the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Asiedu Nketiah sent a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, in which he disclosed the changes in leadership in the minority front of parliament. This letter included changes such as former deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson becoming the newly appointed Minority Leader in Haruna Iddrisu’s stead, and others such as Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Kwame Agbodza, Ahmed Ibrahim and Comfort Doyo Cudjoe-Ghansah playing major roles side by side.

He commented that the party members may not be happy and end up not agreeing to the decisions that have been made but that does not necessitate any benefit hanged on the necks of anybody. He asked that they should all put their minds together to help the newly elected executives put in the necessary efforts to pull the nation together on the NDC’s side in the 2024 elections for a house cannot be divided and still stand.