The Minority Leader in Parliament Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has disclosed that, he has no ambition to become the president of the Republic of Ghana.
Speaking on Peace fm’s morning show “Krokokoo,” Hon. Bagbin stated that, the political system in the country is not ripe enough for him to stand as a president now. He further said, he has no ambition to become the vice president of the country, but would rather want to become a statesman in his political carrier. Hon. Bagbin who is seen as the youngest minority leader in Parliament as of now said, he would like to live and work with a fore sight, to benefit the country in the year’s ahead.
He called on Ghanaians to encourage the young ones, to get themselves involved in politics, especially at the constituency level, so that parliament could have the opportunity to blend the strength of the young and old, to improve its work. He said, the practise of getting young ones into parliament, exists in developed countries, adding that, it would benefit the country a lot, if it is encouraged in Ghana.
Hon. Bagbin stressed that, he has always been independent minded, even during the time the NDC government was in power. He emphasized that, whenever he is convinced that the views he is expressing are the truth, nobody can dissuade him from that.
Answering questions as to why he was not offered an appointment in the NDC government, Mr. Bagbin denied that it was because he has always been independent minded in expressing his views; it was rather because he was not offered any appointment. He said, he believes there were many equally qualified officials in the NDC government for the positions they held.
Commenting on the performance of the former NDC government under Jerry Rawlings, the Hon. Bagbin noted that, through the NDC recorded some failures during its reign, it did its best to achieve a lot for the country. He said though the Ex-President might have committed some blunders in his leadership as the president of the republic, he must not be blamed solely for that.
He said most people found it difficult to appreciate the efforts of the former president, because in some respects, he could not fully achieve the goals of probity and accountability he promised Ghanaians, when he took over power in 1981. Commenting on he present performance of President Kufour, Hon. Bagbin commended him for acting promptly to repeal the criminal libel law, but noted that, it would have been more prudent, if efforts to enact the freedom of Information bill are quickened.
He also noted that, one of the shortfalls so far on the part of the NPP government, is the failure to make the zero tolerance for corruption a reality, describing it as “a far cry”.
Hon Alban Bagbin has served as chairman of several parliamentary select committees, since 1994, including the subsidiary legislature committee, and is currently the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. Commenting on the performance of the former NDC government under Jerry Rawlings, the Hon. Bagbin noted that, though the NDC recorded some failures during its reign, it did its best to achieve a lot for the country.
