Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has welcomed the new Minority leadership led by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to what he described as the “hot seat”.
In his welcome address, the Speaker of Parliament said the new leaders are very conversant with the culture and laws of Parliament and hence needed no introduction.
He said he had confidence in the new leader’s ability to meet the high expectations of the various stakeholders in the country.
“On behalf of the House and my part, I only welcome them to the hot seat of Parliament. Congratulations, and I wish you [new leaders] well,” Mr Bagbin said.
The Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam MP, now the Minority Leader, was given the opportunity to address the House on his first day as a leader.
“Not long ago, on January 7, 2009, I took the very first step in this chamber towards becoming a representative of the people of Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam in the Central Region.
“Fourteen years on, as a young fresh legislator, I have the unique honour of being entrusted with the Leadership of the Minority Caucus. With all humility, I recognise this as a great honour done me and my new leadership colleagues.
“I wish to convey our profound gratitude to our party, the Great NDC and our colleagues on the Minority side for this opportunity to serve at an even higher level and to help shape the trajectory of Parliament,” he said beaming.
Dr Ato Forson also thanked the former leader Haruna Iddrisu, whom he described as a brother, for his many years of distinguished public service and his stellar performance and leadership of the Minority Caucus since 2017.
According to the new Minority Leader, Mr Iddrisu’s track record has become a reference point for many who aspire to participate in Ghanaian politics and also in public service.
“Mr Speaker, I will like to endeavour and continue on the admirable path he has charted at the helm of the Minority Caucus and to live up to the very lofty standard that he has laid out in its leadership.
“I know for sure that I can count on his wise counsel and tap into his vast knowledge and experience of parliamentary practices and leadership going forward. Similarly, our deep appreciation to the immediate past deputy Minority Leader and the Chief Whip, Hon James Avedzi and Hon Muntaka Mubarak, respectively,” he added.
Dr Ato Forson further pledged to offer a fair, unbiased, balanced, consultative and principled leadership in their journey to broaden the frontiers of parliamentary oversight and to hold the Akufo-Addo government accountable.
To the Majority side, the New Leader indicated that even as “we remain firm, resolute and principled in our journey to discharge our oversight duty as a caucus, we shall not be needlessly obstructed as what is under consideration is that the right process is adhered to in all endeavours”.