NDC resolves row over its leadership shake-up in Parliament

The largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has resolved the row over its leadership shake-up.

The caucus has by a resolution pledged its support to the new leadership led by the Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.

This follows a crunch meeting between the national executives of the party, the Council of Elders and the NDC MPs which resolved to put behind all differences that arose following the change in the party’s leadership in Parliament.

The closed-door meeting which was attended by some 120 Minority MPs was called to introduce the new leaders and also explain to the caucus reasons behind the reshuffle and rally the support of all the aggrieved MPs.

Under the new leadership, the Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam MP, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson replaces the Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu as Minority Leader. Also, Ellembele MP, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah replaces Dr James Klutse Avedzi as Deputy Minority Leader while Adaklu MP, Kwame Governs Agbodza has been elevated to Minority Chief Whip status replacing Asawase MP, Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak.

The meeting took place at the Justice DF Annan Auditorium in Parliament House, with the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia and his General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, former Deputy Minority Leader, James Klutse Avedzi among others being present.

Others at the meeting also included the chairman of the council of elders, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, Kofi Totobi Quakyi and other senior comrades of the party.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Asiedu Nketia said all the concerns raised have been resolved saying the party has learnt some key lessons from the row.

“You can see from the enthusiasm that the challenges that arose from the announcement of the new leadership of our Caucus have all been resolved. The challenges that we have been through in the few days have produced very beneficial results and it has led to the formulation of a framework for leading our Caucus in Parliament. One of the takeaways from this meeting is for us to go and quickly expedite action for the formulation of a framework of leading our Caucus in Parliament in the future.”

Also present at the meeting were some of the ‘rebel’ NDC MPs who initially disagreed with the leadership shakeup.

Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East, Dr Dominic Ayine who spoke on behalf of that group said the caucus will support the new leaders in the discharge of their duties.

He also clarified that the petition they sent was neither against the new nor former leadership but about how the party could improve its consultation process with the Minority Caucus.

“I want to thank all my colleagues; we are going to stand solidly behind Ato Forson’s leadership and there will be no turning back from what has happened today,” Dr Dominic Ayine said.

Source: thenewsroomonline