Political Lecturer and analyst Dr. Richard Amoako Baah has alleged that President Akufo-Addo compelled Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu to resign from his position as the leader of the Majority Caucus in Parliament.
During an interview with Accra-based Radio Gold, on Friday, February 23, Dr. Amoako Baah voiced his concerns, stating that the president holds the sole authority to remove the former Majority Leader, implying Akufo-Addo’s involvement in Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s resignation.
“If he has been forced to resign, then the president forced him to resign from the position of Minister of Parliamentary Affairs because that is the only position he can be forced to resign from. You cannot force him to resign as Majority Leader.”
“So if anybody forced him to resign, it must be the president. Nobody else has that power except the president and so he cannot deny that he forced him to resign.
“I am not blaming the president, he is the one who did it because he is the one with that power. If you have the power, and you exercise it, it is not blamed, and the person has no choice because he has appointment powers and removal powers, and he has exercised one.”
The resignation occurred abruptly following a crucial meeting between parliamentary caucus led by Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and the Executive at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu resigned from his position on Wednesday, February 21, as confirmed by sources within the NPP hierarchy.
Although reports suggest that the Suame MP willingly stepped down during a meeting of the NPP caucus in Parliament and the executive, including President Akufo-Addo, political analyst Dr. Rasheed Draman has also raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his resignation.
Dr. Draman wondered whether Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu may have been pressured into resigning, and expressed concerns about the implications of encouraging individuals to commit to public service.
While acknowledging the party’s prerogative to select its parliamentary leaders, Dr. Draman emphasised the collective responsibility involved in governing the country.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has confirmed Alexander Afenyo-Markin, MP for Effutu, as the new leader of the majority caucus in Parliament.
This change follows a recent interpretation of parliamentary procedures and aligns with the Speaker’s ruling on the selection process.
Below is the new front bench of the Majority Caucus
- Majority Leader: Alexander Afenyo-Markin, MP for Effutu
- Deputy Majority Leader: Patricia Appiagyei, MP for Asokwa
- Majority Chief Whip: Frank Annoh Dompreh, MP for Nsawam/Adoagyiri
- First Deputy Majority Chief Whip: Habib Iddrisu, MP for Tolon
- Second Deputy Majority Chief Whip: Alex Tetteh Djornobuah, MP for Sefwi Akontombra
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