"Discontent Over Low Parliamentary Attendance by NDC Legislators"

On behalf of concerned grassroots members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), I wish to express our growing displeasure over the current developments within Parliament.

Following the recent elections, Ghanaians gave our party a clear mandate, entrusting us with a majority in Parliament. This overwhelming support was based on the belief that the NDC would be instrumental in resetting the country, which had been poorly governed by the Akuffo-Addo-Bawumia administration. Citizens recognized the challenges former President John Mahama faced during the latter part of his tenure, when crucial reforms and decisions were hindered by intransigence, particularly by MPs like Afenyo-Markin. The result of these challenges was an ineffective government that failed to address the country’s pressing issues.

With the elections behind us, the Ghanaian electorate handed us a two-thirds majority in Parliament, which they hoped would enable us to efficiently handle government affairs and usher in the much-needed reforms. Our task was clear: to provide oversight, ensure the successful passage of policies, and work toward the nation’s development.

However, it is disheartening to observe that some of our MPs seem to be taking their positions for granted, spending more time celebrating their victories than focusing on their parliamentary duties. This complacency was particularly evident during the approval process of Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, who was designated as the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. A situation arose where Buah had to retract and apologize for comments made during former President Akuffo-Addo’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA).

It is frustrating that a seasoned parliamentarian like Hon. Buah, who once served as the Deputy Minority Leader, had to face such unnecessary delays in the approval process. This is even more concerning when the Minority Leader suggested before the House that we didn’t have the necessary numbers to pass the approval, despite having 183 MPs, with an additional 4 Independent MPs supporting us. This brings the total number of MPs on our side to 187, making the claim of not having the required numbers completely unfounded.

The current situation, in which 88 NPP MPs are managing to disrupt parliamentary business despite being fewer than our MPs, is unacceptable. We should not allow the NPP, with its significantly smaller representation, to dominate the House. This is especially concerning at such an early stage in our mandate, when our priority should be the efficient functioning of Parliament and the pursuit of policies that benefit the Ghanaian people.

We must also reflect on the undemocratic practices employed by the NPP during their last administration. The passage of the controversial E-Levy bill, marred by questions of procedural integrity, is a case in point. While I acknowledge that this remains my personal opinion and not an established fact, it raises serious concerns about the state of parliamentary democracy in Ghana.

It is critical that our MPs take their roles more seriously and avoid absenteeism, which only hampers the functioning of the House. The current situation is allowing MPs like Afenyo-Markin and Annor Dompreh to obstruct government business, which ultimately works against the interests of the Ghanaian people.

We were particularly disappointed by the display of theatrics before the vetting of Hon. Edward Omane Boamah. The Minority’s antics, which seemed aimed at garnering attention, only created unnecessary disruptions and undermined the seriousness of the parliamentary process. This behavior was far from constructive and raised doubts about the sincerity of their opposition.

We are calling for a change. We expect all NDC MPs to make a concerted effort to improve their attendance in Parliament and demonstrate that they are committed to serving the Ghanaian people. It is essential that we fulfill the promises made to our constituents, and this begins with being present and engaged in parliamentary proceedings. We cannot allow the Minority to gain the upper hand or to mislead the public into believing they are the true holders of power in Parliament.

Furthermore, the situation with Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah’s apology was disheartening. He showed restraint and leniency toward President Akuffo-Addo’s remarks, only to be forced into retracting his statements. This cannot be allowed to happen again.

We also reflect on the leadership we once had with figures like Rt Hon. Speaker Kinsford Sumana Bagbin, who provided strong direction in Parliament as Majority Leader. We miss the leadership of Hon. Casiel Ato Baah Forson, who stood firm in his opposition to the E-Levy, and the contributions of Hon. Haruna Iddrisu and Hon. Muntaka, who ensured that Rt Hon. Speaker Bagbin was elected as Speaker in the 8th Parliament.

It is time for a renewed commitment from our MPs to ensure that Parliament functions effectively and efficiently. We trust that our representatives will rise to the occasion, demonstrate unity, and maintain the integrity of the NDC in Parliament. Our constituents expect nothing less.