Mubarak Muntaka, the Member of Parliament for Asawase and Minority Chief Whip, has expressed his displeasure over comments made by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu on the minority being “brainwashed”.
Speaking in an interview, he revealed that Mr. Kyei Bonsu’s comments smacks of lack of leadership and doesn’t foster consensus building.
The Asawase legislator’s comments follow Mr Kyei Mensah Bonsu’s interview on recent conducts by the Minority in the 8th Parliament. The Majority Leader revealed that some NDC MPs have been brainwashed and not well-versed in some Parliamentary practices.
Mr. Kyei Bonsu further revealed that although he seeks to work with the Minority due to the numbers of each Caucus in the House, their actions appear to be that of an “obstructionist opposition party.”
However, Mr. Muntaka berated him by revealing that “Parliament is not for professors” and not “for the one-side-fit view”.
“Mr Kyei Mensah is one of the experienced MPs that we have but I do not think like him. And you have seen us on the floor many times based on the standing orders and having banter. I disagree with him and vice-versa.
“But me disagreeing with him doesn’t give him the right to say that I have been brainwashed because that is my understanding and I am pursuing it and I am also using the same rules.
“For him to say that some Minority MPs have been brainwashed, it is unfortunate. It doesn’t also help in the consensus-building”.
Be circumspect in your speech
Moreover, Mr. Muntaka was of the opinion that the Majority Leader needs the support of the opposition in Parliament to ensure a smooth operation of the Executive. As a consequence, he must not make utterances which undermines the intelligence of the National Democratic Congress Parliamentarians.
“When you are the leader of the House, there are certain things you are better off not saying because what you say and do will force people to make up their minds and when you now need them to push government business, it becomes difficult.
“You may have your view, but if it were me, I wouldn’t say that in the public. I may have it as a view sitting in Parliament but because I am Majority Leader who wants government business to run in the House, I will not be the one saying this”.
Parliament; an enclave for the NDC
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, on April 5, 2021 expressed his concern over the activities in Parliament.
According to him, it is likely the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, will turn the House into an enclave for the National Democratic Congress.
He further revealed that Alban Bagbin has selected quite a number of NDC members to his office as advisers.
“You have brought in Kofi Attor who is the Vice-Chairman of the party as an adviser. He has brought in two former MPs. He says he is bringing them on as advisers. Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the party is now on the Parliamentary Service Board and then, Gayheart Mensah is also coming to the Speaker’s office.”
“So, you are turning that place into an enclave for the NDC. There is one other guy whose name I have forgotten, he was a usual panel at Radio Gold. I understand he wants to make him his Communications Officer”.
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