Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament has boycotted a three-day orientation program being organised for members of the 9th Parliament.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ongoing retreat at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, described the Minority’s reasons—cost concerns and lack of engagement in the venue selection process—as unacceptable.
“We lost a great opportunity because the turbulence of Parliament has once again shown itself. I only saw a WhatsApp message stating that our colleagues, our brothers and sisters of the New Patriotic Party, have opted out, giving a reason that is completely unacceptable,” he stated.
While the NPP Caucus has also cited political motivation as the reason for the venue selection, the Speaker denied any partisanship in the selection process.
“There is good reason why we choose venues for this; it is not partisan. There is always a search party, and they go around, discuss with various hospitality providers, look at the cost component, the facilities, their suitability, and the convenience of your movement—because there is pressure on you—and they score marks before we decide where to go.
“There is no partisanship at all. This time around, the Parliamentary Service followed the same process, and the final results were brought to the Speaker. Unless I have a very good reason why it shouldn’t be at that place, I simply give my approval,” he stated.
The Speaker stressed the importance of the workshop as a significant capacity-building program for MPs and Parliament staff to help them meet their demands.
Ahead of the adjournment of Parliament on Friday, February 28, 2025, the Minority raised concerns over the lack of consultation in the selection of the retreat venue, as well as cost-related issues.
“Our position is a very principled one. We are saying that the clerk and the management should consult leadership. That has been the practice. So, until that consultation is done, we cannot be part of this weekend retreat and let nobody take it with malice.
“It is a very principled stance, and that should be respected. Besides that point, we have also said—and it is important that our colleagues stay consistent with their earlier argument—that we all want to reduce costs. The last time, the argument was to reduce costs by having the event here. Mr. Speaker, what has changed?” the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, stated on the floor.
Meanwhile, the Second Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament for Fomena, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, was sighted during the opening ceremony despite the boycott by his caucus.
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