The new Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, says the Minority in Parliament under his leadership will not tolerate bad governance from the current administration.
In his maiden address to Parliament, the Ajumako Enyan Essiam lawmaker said the Minority under his leadership would not be business as usual.
“We are unwilling to be part of any negligence of duty of any sort, and neither shall tolerate any lackadaisical attitude toward the work of this House by public officials. We will maintain the highest level of vigilance and offer intense scrutiny of government programmes, policies, agreements, bills, and legislative instruments.
“We will also not compromise on what we earnestly believe to be right. Mr Speaker, this is our solemn pledge as the Minority Caucus under my leadership to the people of Ghana”, he pledged.
He also told the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, that he looks forward to working closely with him and the other members of Parliament to ensure a smooth and orderly execution of their mandate.
“I wish to thank you, Mr Speaker, for your strong leadership of this House and the very long years of public service. I look forward to working closely with you, the Members of Parliament, in this my new capacity as the Minority Leader and to ensuring a smooth and orderly execution of our mandate as Parliament on behalf of the people of Ghana.”
Mr Bagbin, on his part, said, “I only welcome them to the Hot seat of the leadership of Parliament. Congratulations, I wish you well.”
Mr Ato Forson replaced Haruna Iddrisu as the Minority Leader of Parliament in a surprise reshuffle in January.
This led to some differences over what the aggrieved NDC MPs described as a “lack of consultation”.
But after a meeting that was jointly called by the national leadership, the Council of Elders and the Minority Caucus in Parliament, the issue has been resolved.
The party has decided to throw its weight behind the new minority leadership with Cassiel Ato Forson as the leader.