The new Majority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Ato Cassiel Forson, has assured Ghanaians of the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) unwavering commitment to standing for the people as the party prepares to assume leadership in Parliament.
His comments follow the declaration by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, on Thursday, October 17, which vacated four parliamentary seats, officially shifting the balance of power in Parliament.
This declaration now establishes the NDC as the Majority in Parliament, with the party holding 136 seats, giving them a slim majority over the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which holds 135 seats.
In a media engagement after the declaration, Hon. Forson emphasized that this shift is necessary to bring meaningful change to the country. He also announced that the process of transitioning to the Majority side will begin with the election of a new Deputy Speaker on Tuesday.
“We want to use this opportunity to assure the people of Ghana that the NDC Majority will stand for the people of Ghana any day, anytime. We will begin the process to move to the Majority side and elect a new Deputy Speaker on Tuesday.”
Hon. Forson assured Ghanaians that the NDC is determined to take over critical roles in parliamentary committees to ensure proper oversight and implement measures to address the country’s pressing challenges.
“We will also take over the majority of the committees in Parliament and will do the work in a way that benefits the people of Ghana. We have gone through so much as a country, and this cannot continue.”
He further noted that this change reflects the true will of the people, stressing that the NDC was initially voted into the majority but was prevented from assuming this position at the start of the current Parliament due to “certain schemes.”
“In fact, the people of Ghana voted for the NDC majority, and if not for certain machinations, this should have happened from day one. But finally, we are here, and we are ready to do the business of the people of Ghana.”
Hon. Forson also addressed the challenges facing the country, particularly Ghana’s recent economic difficulties. He emphasized that with the NDC now holding the working majority, they would take swift action to alleviate the nation’s woes.
“We are here to begin the process to rebuild our country. Ghana has gone through difficult times. Often, people have blamed Parliament for not standing up for Ghanaians, but this was because the NDC did not have the working majority. Now that we do, we will begin the process to restore our country.”
Hon. Forson also expressed gratitude to the Speaker of Parliament for his commitment to upholding the Constitution and parliamentary precedent, and thanked the people of Ghana for their unwavering support.
“We thank the Speaker for standing for the people of Ghana, respecting the Constitution, precedent, and standing orders of Parliament. In all of this, we thank the people of Ghana for standing firm for their country.”
The NDC’s transition to the Majority is expected to bring about significant changes in Parliament as the party takes on greater leadership roles in addressing the country’s economic and social challenges.
Story by: Alexander Kuuku Osei-Baidoo | univers.ug.edu.gh
