My resignation from Majority Leader role was voluntary – Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu quells rumours
Former Majority Leader in Parliament Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has dismissed rumours that he was forced out of his position in the House.
Speaking on the floor of parliament, on Friday, he explained that he chose to resign voluntarily amid discussions on whether or not there should be changes in the caucus leadership at the time the President reshuffled his government.
“A lot of discussions have gone on in respect of the subject matter. Some of them are very informed, others unfortunately not informed…Mr Speaker, it was amidst the discussions that at a meeting of the caucus, which the President had requested, I tended my resignation as Majority Leader in order to still the storm and facilitate peace and unity required for a party at this time,” Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said.
He added “Mr Speaker, that decision that I made was not within the presence of Parliament. This morning, I summoned the caucus meeting to formally announce to my colleagues that I’ve elected voluntarily to step down as a majority leader and by that leader of the house.”
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noted that should the rumours have been allowed to fester it would further hurt the NPP’s chances of breaking the eight and retaining power in the 2024 general elections.
He stated that the party has faith and trust that they can achieve this feat despite some challenges they may face.
“The discussions had the potential of degenerating into consequences, the end results of which could be rather fatal, or as I have stated elsewhere, rather cataclysmic for my party in our effort to break in the eight, which effort has thus far, in the Fourth Republic, not ended successfully for any party in government.”
This follows reported tensions between the NPP caucus and the executive after it emerged that there were moves to reshuffle the leadership of the majority caucus.
There were rumours that the former Majority leader was being forced out of his position amid the tensions.
The development drew protests from First Deputy Speaker, Joe Osei-Owusu and others, who had vowed to resist any changes in their ranks dictated by the party, stating that they were satisfied with the work of the current leadership led by Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
It equally drew comments from the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, who insisted that the parties with representation in Parliament have a big say in appointing the leadership of their caucuses.
Meanwhile, while announcing his resignation, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu announced that Alexander Afenyo-Markin Member of Parliament for Efuttu will be taking over his post.
He also announced other changes urging the Majority Caucus and the House to support his successor.
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
Source: myjoyonline
