SOTN2020: Minority should not dream of debating an address they boycotted – Ursula Owusu

Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu Ekuful has described as hypocritical any attempts by members of the Minority in Parliament to participate in a debate of the address by President Akufo-Addo on the State of The Nation.

According to the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West, the actions of the NDC MPs to boycott the President’s speech showed utter disrespect to him, the Speaker and their colleagues.

She expressed her disappointment especially in the leadership of the Minority and noted that their posture was appalling.

Madam Owusu-Ekuful intimated that no matter of justification of the Minority MPs actions would wash since they walked out without listening to what President Akufo-Addo had to say in his State of the Nation message.

She averred that if they had done so while he was speaking, although it was not right, it would have been bearable as it could have been explained that they were not happy about what the President was putting across.

“…those who didn’t accord the house that respect are the ones who’ve done something that is reprehensible, and which ought to be condemned by all right-thinking Ghanaians.

Now if the President had said something which they objected to and walked out it would have made sense. This walkout was senseless, without reason, and no amount of justification will wash particularly when the leadership also led them to do that,” she chided.

Minority in Parliament clad in black apparels collectively marched out after the House sang the National Anthem, stressing the last sentencing “…and help us to resist oppressors’ rule with all our will and might forevermore” while they moved out.



Members of the Majority eventually occupied the seats of their colleagues at the Minority section in Parliament, leaving the President to address virtually members of his party.

Justifying their action at a press conference held hours after the President’s address, the NDC lamented that they were mourning about the poor state of the economy as well as the leadership of the President; one they described as tyrannical.

But the strict and outspoken Ursula Owusu maintained that the NDC were well known for boycotting landmark activities in the House, and charged that they uphold their position and also not participate in the debate on the President’s address.

“… I hope that they will carry it to its logical conclusion, and not even dream of participating in the debate on the address they didn’t listen to. That will be the height of hypocrisy, but they're well known for that. So, we shouldn’t be surprised. Let them surprise us for once, and do the honourable thing, that since they decided not to listen, they will not participate in it…” she added.