The African Center for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) fears for the Minority in Parliament’s ability to hold the government accountable following suggestions of a rift within its ranks.
The Executive Director of ACEPA, Rasheed Draman, in a Citi News interview, urged the Minority to address its issues that have followed the vetting of the president’s ministerial nominees.
“I will appeal to the Minority side to get together and form a very solid front so that they work on a basis of principle. If the government is doing well, they should support it and when it’s doing otherwise, particularly with the management of our resources, they should speak with one voice.”
“If they allow a lot of cracks in their ranks, then we might as well forget oversight, accountability for the rest of the tenure of this administration,” Mr. Draman cautioned.
ACEPA’s concerns follow the resignation of North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa from Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
The reason for his resignation is not yet known however he says the decision is personal and based on principle.
There has been some disaffection with the approval of some of Akufo-Addo nominees from within the Minority ranks with the Bolga Central MP, Isaac Adongo, voicing his disapproval publicly.
Mr. Adongo has insisted that his side should have rejected the nomination of Mr. Ofori-Atta.
Isaac Adongo also said the approval will not gag him from exposing the Minister’s incompetence in managing Ghana’s economy.
“I have stayed out of the media because of the question of why we approved Ken Ofori-Atta. I don’t want my name to be dragged in the mud when I do not have control over the processes leading to the approval of one of my fiercest critics.”
“As for Ken Ofori-Atta, we have another four years of battle ahead of us, and we are ready for him. I am not going to be daunted because Ofori-Atta has been approved and people are asking that if he was corrupt why was approved? I must continue to hold the government to account. That will not demoralize me. I will continue to do my work.”
