I welcome you to the hot seat of leadership – Bagbin tells Ato Forson, others

The Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has welcomed the new minority leadership.

Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, February 7, he said “I only welcome them to the Hot seat of the leadership of Parliament. Congratulations, I wish you well.”

To the former leaders, Haruna Iddrisu, Muntaka Mubarak and James Kluste Avedzi, he said “The former members of the leadership led by Haruna Iddrisu must be applauded. Their record for performance is visible for all to see and I hope the new leadership will follow. The Lord is your shepherd, you shall not want.”

The new Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and his Deputy Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah as well as the new Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Agbodza earlier paid a courtesy call on the Speaker at his residence on Thursday, January 26.

Speaking to journalists, Mr Kofi Buah said that the visit formed part of their engagements.

He said “As part of these engagements, we visited the Speaker’s residence, just a courtesy call. We were warmly received. We also have benefited from his wise counsel. So we are very encouraged by it. We thanked him.”

When asked what specific advice Mr Bagbin gave the trio, the Ellembelle lawmaker answered “Our priority right now is to make sure we unite our caucus, that is so important to us.”

The engagements come after the appointment has divided the front of the Minority in Parliament.

For instance, Zebilla East Member of Parliament Cleruc Avoka said the Speaker of Parliament has not informed the Minority caucus and the entire House of any changes made to the leadership of the Minority therefore, Haruna Iddrisu and the other leaders of the opposition lawmakers who were removed still remain at pos.

Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Thursday, January 26, he said “For us there is no reshuffle yet, the Speaker has not communicated to us.”

Aswase Member of Parliament Muntaka Mubarak who was also affected by the changes asked his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to sit up.

Muntaka is unhappy with the changes that have been made to the leadership of the Minority by the party.

He believes that the decision was made by a few executives although the statement announcing it was signed by the General Secretary Fifi Kwetey.

“If you cannot write a letter to appoint, how can you write to disappoint?” He asked at the press conference.

He added “We don’t want to create enmity among us unnecessarily, we believe that the right process should be followed.”

He further stated if “the right process is followed we will be happy and thank them for the opportunity to serve.

“We hope that they will help fast-track the hearing of the issues.”

The decision to change the leadership created division among the minority caucus.