The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has defended its decision to make changes to the leadership of the Minority in Parliament in the wake of criticisms greeting that decision.
For instance, there have been concerns that the party took a unilateral decision without consulting the Minority Caucus in Parliament whose front would directly be impacted by the shake-up.
But the General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Flavi Kwetey has refuted that position, insisting that all those who mattered were consulted prior to the changes.
The party in a letter to the Speaker of Parliament said it has replaced the MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu as the Minority Leader, with the MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson. The Member of Parliament for Ellembele, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah replaces MP for Ketu North James Klutse Avedzi as the new Deputy Minority Leader.
The MP for Banda in the Bono Region Ahmed Ibrahim and MP for Ada constituency located in the Greater Accra Region Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah were both maintained as the First and Second Deputy Minority Whips respectively.
Some Members of Parliament have protested openly against the decision with some asking the party leadership to reverse it because it is unpopular and unhealthy.
The MP for Tamale Central, Murtala Mohammed who questioned the move said the party is “only taking away the most experienced leaders and bringing the less experienced ones. Nobody told them we are dissatisfied with the leadership.”
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But Fifi Kwetey told Citi FM on Tuesday that the decision was arrived at after a broad consultation.
“This decision was taken after wide consultation. If you look at the apex leadership of the party, that consultation was done. In terms of parliamentary, the group that is widely consulted, that consultation has been done.”
He stated further, “What needed to be done about this reshuffling was done and the people duly consulted. All the key leaders have been consulted. The former President, Mahama was consulted and his views duly reflected. The new and old leaders were informed and consulted.”
The General Secretary has also insisted that the decision has been taken and will not be reversed.
He said the party will proceed with the leadership changes when Parliament resumes in February.
“The leadership of the party at the highest level has taken a decision and that is just what it is. You cannot set up a precedent where decisions by the leadership of the party are now going to be an issue of the caucus. The leadership of the party in Parliament is appointed by the leadership of the party. It is not something that is done by the caucus of the party”.
The NDC chief scribe offered further explanation to the shake-up, taking into consideration regional balance and economic issues ahead of the 2024 election.
“It is an integral part of the process of preparing ourselves for the next general elections. A process of reorganization has been ongoing. We are looking at having the process continue ahead of the parliamentary and presidential primaries. We believe that as part of the process, the next election is going to revolve around matters of the economy.
“It’s going to be an economic battle and as part of the process, with consultation with leadership at the highest level, we thought that involves how best to even change the parliamentary leadership and have a leader whose domain and forte has to do with the economy to be able to lead that whole process. So this is a very important consideration.”
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