Central Region NDC condemn boycott of Minority in Parliament

Cape Coast, Feb 23, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Central Region has accused the Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, of double-standard over the fire incident at the residence of former President John Jerry Rawlings last week.

A statement signed by Mr Samuel Adu-Yeboah, Regional Chairman, said the party found it difficult to reconcile the visit of the Minority leader to former President Rawlings to console him on the fire disaster, and his decision to boycott Parliament until the New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporter who made the allegation against the former President, was set free by the law courts.

Mr Adu-Yeboah, who is a lawyer, said it was unfortunate for the Minority, and for that matter the NPP which claimed to be championing the rule of law, to be pushing the judiciary to the wall over a case involving their supporter.

"What has that case got to do with the work of Parliament?" the lawyer asked, and advised the Minority to be careful they did not set a bad precedent. He urged them to desist from hiding behind freedom of expression to undermine discipline.

"We agree that Ghanaians must uphold freedom of expression but it is the view of the NDC that it must be exercised responsibly." Mr Adu-Yeboah pointed out that by their action, the Minority had rubbished the campaign against indiscipline launched by former Vice President Aliu Mahama and had thrown discipline to the dogs. He said he was sad when some of the MPs argued that former President Kufuor was insulted on many occasions but not arrests were made. "Is the NPP telling Ghanaians that it is right to insult our leaders or make unsubstantiated wild allegations against them?" he asked and wanted to know whether the Minority by the boycott wanted to dictate to the courts how they should operate.

Mr Adu-Yeboah said it was unfortunate that the NPP by their actions and utterances had made themselves and the supporters "tin gods" who must not be touched even when they fell foul of the laws of the country. Mr Adu-Yeboah urged the Majority to go ahead with their Parliamentary duties with or without the Minority, and leave the rest to Ghanaians who elected them to that position to judge.