Sampson Ahi: NPP unsure about boycott decision

The Deputy Majority Chief Whip of Parliament, Hon. Sampson Ahi, says the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is indecisive about their decision to boycott all events involving President John Mahama and has therefore asked them to accept his legitimacy.

According to him, the NPP is two-faced about recognising the President’s legitimacy because they waver in declaring their true stance.

The New Patriotic Party acting on the behest of its National Council has sought to boycott any activity President Mahama takes part in. The party’s MPs boycotted the vetting of ministerial appointees of the President including his inaugural State of the Nation Address, to protest his Presidential mandate.

The minority caucus in Parliament last Thursday snubbed the President’s state of the nation address and days after, has come with what they consider as the 'True State of the Nation Address', a report in which they outlined some challenges confronting the economy.

Though the minority has indicated they will distance themselves from every activity of the President, they however has revealed that they will be present when the budget is read by the Finance Minister, Seth Tekper.

In a sharp riposte to the minority, Hon. Sampson Ahi explained on Peace FMs 6pm news bulletin that “the budget is presented to Parliament on the authority of the President of Ghana.

“I don’t see any reason in the fact that you (minority in Parliament) don’t accept the President. So, you did not attend his inauguration. The Minister that you are going to listen to at Parliament, you say you don’t recognize him, so, you snubbed vetting. This same person is coming. So, if you are at crossroad and you cannot do anything, let all Ghanaians understand it."

“Have you now accepted the President?” he rhetorically questioned the minority members, and therefore called on them to tie the knot with the ruling NDC.

Meanwhile, the National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has welcomed the minority as he said the minority’s “U-turn” is a step in the right direction.

He however described as “disgraceful” the minority’s walkout on the President in his State of the Nation Address and believes the minority has reconsidered their decision.