Okudzeto Ablakwa Describes Minority Caucus Leadership Rancour as a Needless Distraction
North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called for an end to the controversy that has arisen from the recent reshuffle in the leadership of the Minority Caucus in Parliament. Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Ablakwa referred to the conflict as a “needless distraction” from important national issues.
Ablakwa emphasised that it is essential for parliamentarians to focus on significant issues and offer leadership instead of engaging in internal disputes. He said, “The Ghanaian people… expect us [the NDC] to be focused on those matters [domestic debt exchange], to offer leadership, to be their voice because that is why they sent us to Parliament. So, the point I am making is that this is a needless distraction.”
The contentious reshuffle in the Minority Caucus leadership was announced in a letter dated January 23, addressed to the Speaker of Parliament. The changes saw Dr Cassiel Ato Forson replacing Haruna Iddrissu as Minority Leader, Kofi Armah Buah succeeding James Klutse Avedzi as Deputy Minority Leader, and Governs Kwame Agbodza taking over from Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak as Minority Chief Whip.
Ablakwa, who has remained neutral in the leadership feud, called on his NDC colleagues to resolve their differences quickly, adding that the controversy could also affect the party’s activities. He said, “So some of us have been urging colleagues that we have to quickly close ranks, deal with this matter expeditiously and move on to the national issues.”
The North Tongu MP also hinted at an upcoming caucus meeting organised by the Council of Elders of the NDC, expressing hope that the meeting would provide an opportunity for members to reach an agreement. He said, “I think that in that meeting, some of us will be very clear on how going forward, we can do things better and learn lessons so that we do not spill over and create the kind of negative attention which we have attracted.”