Hon Samuel George Nartey, Member of Parliament for the good people of Ningo-Prampram constituency, has asserted that the meeting between national executives of the National Democratic Congress, Council of Elders and NDC Members of Parliament was to outdoor their new leaders of Parliament.
Earlier reports suggested that the meeting was to resolve the issues that greeted the announcement of the new Minority leadership.
Hon Haruna Iddrisu who was the Minority Leader was replaced with Hon Cassiel Ato Forson, while Deputy Minority Leader James Klutse Avedzi was also removed and replaced with the MP for Ellembelle, Hon Armah Kofi Buah.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) also replaced Hon Mubarak Muntaka, the Minority Chief Whip, with Governs Kwame Agbodza amid mixed reactions from NDC Members of Parliament.
Speaking in an interview, the lawmaker made known that, nowhere was it announced that Monday’s (February 6) meeting was to iron out any issue.
“That meeting had been advertised as a meeting between the Minority Caucus, our Council of Elders, National Executives to outdoor the incoming leadership of our Caucus.
“There had been previous meetings with the stakeholders; both collectively and individually at various levels to resolve the issues and so the issues raised had been resolved prior to the meeting this afternoon. This meeting was basically the result of the meetings that had happened that had brought peace into the party and addressed the issues that were fundamentally raised across the board.”
Sam George
Hon Nartey, who was one of the MPs who were against the reshuffle expressed satisfaction with the resolution reached by the leadership of the party. “We are excited that this matter has been resolved but most importantly, the fundamental issues that were raised have been adequately and properly resolved, ” he emphasized.
Asked about the absence of the outgoing leadership and the cohesion among party leadership and leadership of the NDC in Parliament, the MP divulged that “If you want to see the unity of the party, be on the Floor of Parliament, that is where you will see the unity of the party.”
We’Ve Amicably Resolved Impasse Over Change In Minority Leadership
The Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), revealed that it has resolved the tension created by the recent changes in the party’s leadership in Parliament.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the NDC’s Council of Elders, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, the party indicated that it has settled the confusion which has been lingering over the last couple of weeks.
According to the party, there is the need for unity to prevail within the rank and file of the NDC, as it readies to wrestle power from the ruling NPP in the 2024 general election.
The NDC therefore called on all of its members to remain united as it works together to return to power in next year’s presidential and parliamentary polls.
“The Council of Elders hereby calls for togetherness and unity of purpose within the Minority caucus and urges all members of the party to let peace prevail. Let us not do anything to hamper the clear opportunity the NDC has to emerge victorious in the 2024 elections.”
“It is our hope that the new Minority Caucus leadership will provide the leadership that will guarantee a resounding victory for the NDC in the 2024 general elections so that we can together rescue our beloved country from the hands of the failed Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government.”
Council of Elders
While urging peace to prevail in the party, the NDC’s Council of Elders however noted there is the need to review the party’s processes regarding the appointment of its leadership in Parliament. Currently, the leaders of the NDC’s parliamentary caucus are appointed by the national executives of the party.
But according to the NDC’s Council of Elders, it has become necessary for certain reforms to be made concerning the approach used in selecting the leaders of its parliamentary caucus.
According to the statement, “While recognizing that the party leadership was within its rights to make appointments or rotate the leadership of the NDC caucus in Parliament as has been the case since the inception of the Parliament of the 4th Republic, the Council is of the view that the processes need to be improved.”
Meanwhile, the party has expressed gratitude to the former leaders of its parliamentary caucus. It has also called on all of its MPS to work together with the new crop of leaders for the general good of the party.
