The newly elected Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, has finally accepted the party’s appointment to take over from his friend, Haruna Iddrisu.
Yesterday, Ato Forson made his first public address after news broke about his appointment, during which, he called for calm among the minority caucus as well as the rank and file of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
His call followed the unrest and agitations that greeted the changes made to the minority leadership in parliament by the party.
It would be recalled that on Tuesday January 24, a letter signed by the General Secretary, Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey indicated that three leaders of the Minority Caucus had been removed and replaced.
The affected leaders were then Minority Leader, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, his deputy, Mr James Klutse Avedzi and Minority Chief Whip, Mr Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak.
The Oxford-trained finance expert, Dr Forson, was made to replace Haruna Iddrisu whilst Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembele constituency replaced Mr Avedzi. The MP for Adaklu, Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza also replaced Alhaji Mubarak.
These changes did not sit well with some of the caucus as well as party members and has hence made headlines.
But speaking yesterday, Dr Ato Forson, who was in the company of Mr Agbodza and Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, First Deputy Minority Whip, said changes like these do happen and the affected persons must show leadership.
The Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Legislator said he has held fruitful discussions with the now former minority leader, Mr Haruna Iddrisu and even commended him for his stewardship, and urged the public to keep calm.
Expressing his joy with regards to the new position, Mr Forson said that he was honoured to have been elected to lead the caucus.
“Let me say that I am deeply honoured and humbled that I have been chosen to lead our gallant NDC Minority Caucus of Ghana’s Parliament,” he indicated.
He expressed his appreciation to the leadership of the party for the confidence reposed in him to lead the Minority Caucus and also expressed gratitude to all members of the NDC.
“I wish to use this opportunity to thank the leadership of our great party, who has placed their trust and confidence in me.
“I am also deeply grateful to our colleagues, the rank and file of our great party,” Dr Forson said.
He also thanked Ghanaians for the profound support and solidarity.
“I have no doubt that with the support of the entire minority caucus in Parliament, we shall succeed.”
Speaking on how he intends to work with his colleagues, Dr. Forson said his first responsibility is to unite the caucus.
“…Outfirstresponsibilityistounitethe Caucus.Thatwillbenumberoneontheagenda.”
He also said he will represent the collective goal of the caucus.
Moving away from his party and turning his attention to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Ato Forson said the Caucus will deliver the message to the Akufo-Addo led administration regarding the size of his government.
He said the way the Caucus will carry out this is to ensure that any attempt to increase the size of the government will not receive their cooperation.
“I wish to first of all send a message to the NPP that the people of Ghana are calling on them to downsize their government to reflect the mood of the country…”.
He also said the Caucus will ensure that there will be a public hearing on the audit of the Covid-19 expenditure.
The last but not the least thing he indicated was a roadshow to educate Ghanaians on the implications on the current economic crisis.
