BY : DARI KWABENA MATHEW (+233555395925)
The conduct of Muntaka Mubarak after he was removed as Minority Chief Whip was inconsistent with the disciplines of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Member of Parliament for Bawku Central Mahama Ayariga has said.
Mr Ayariga faulted him for resorting to the media to make his concerns about the changes known.
“Clearly they have not acted inconsistent with the party’s discipline. I do not believe that it is on tv and radio that we have to discuss this,” he said while speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, January 28.
He also said that the newly-appointed Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson took the wrong step in addressing the media on his appointment.
Mr Ayariga thought that Dr Ato Forson would have first met the minority caucus to provide his plans and strategies to going forward.
He said the new leaders “took a few missteps, going to out to say what they said. Their first port of call should have been the caucus.
“Ato Forson alone cannot forge a new vision and direction, it has to be forged with all of us then we can communicate together.”
It is recalled that following the appointment, Asawase Member of Parliament Muntaka Mubarak told national executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that they cannot just remove the leadership merely by writing a letter to them.
“If you cannot write a letter to appoint, how can you write to disappoint?” He asked at a press conference in Parliament on Thursday.
Muntaka was unhappy with the changes that have been made to the leadership of the Minority by the party.
He believed that the decision was made by a few executives although the statement announcing it was signed by the General Secretary Fifi Kwetey.
He added “We don’t want to create enmity among us unnecessarily, we believe that the right process should be followed.”
He further stated ” If the right process is followed we will be happy and thank them for the opportunity to serve. We hope that they will help fast-track the hearing of the issues.”
The decision to change the leadership created division among the minority caucus.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson says he has had a fruitful and positive conversation with his predecessor Haruna Iddrisu after his appointment.
He commended Mr Iddrisu for “his admirable stewardship when he was granted the opportunity by our party’s leadership.”
“As leader,” he added, “it will be my duty to represent our collective goals with unwavering dedication and high integrity.”
He further indicated that “I am honoured and humbled to have been chosen to lead our illustrious and gallant caucus in Parliament. I thank the leadership of our party who have placed their trust and confidence in me. I am also deeply grateful to colleagues, the rank and file of our party and the Ghanaian people for their profound support and solidarity.
His appointment as Minority leader raised concerns among some members of the Minority caucus.
For instance, Member of Parliament for Agotime Ziope, Charles Agbeve demanded explanations into the decision.
Mr Agbeve said the NDC lawmakers were surprised following the announcement of the changes because consultations were not done on this matter.
He told newsmen that “I am flabbergastered, the news hit me because it is one of the last news I am expecting at this time, and so I am surprised.
“It took me a long time to really appreciate the news because normally, the national executives will engage the leadership of Parliament and if leadership thinks the engagements, they can’t get to a consultation, they meet the whole caucus and so, I can count countless engagements between the caucus and the national executives on all issues.
“There are issues when they come up, leadership thinks let us take some advice from the national executives and then they give the direction. So one would have thought that if there is going to be a shake-up like this, there would have been some engagements and that engagement would have watered down the shock and surprise.
“You will know there is going to be some changes here and there and then people will make inputs and suggestions but this was not done and I will like to know what went into this thinking, I will want some explanations, that will give all of us reasons to support it. ”
