NDC Elders Call For Calm Amidst Efforts To Resolve Sammy Gyamfi And Bagbin Spat
The leadership of the National Democratic Congress, NDC led by its council of elders have called for calm amongst its rank and file as they find solution to the Sammy Gyamfi – Bagbin and Minority MPs spat.
This comes after Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communication Officer of the party called out the leadership of the minority caucus in parliament as well as the speaker, Alban Bagbin for betraying the party in the vetting and approval of the president’s ministerial nominees.
Soon after the nominees including Hawa Koomson, then nominee for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, nominee for Information and Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the nominee for Food and Agriculture were approved, Sammy Gyamfi called it betrayal from the party’s leadership in Parliament. The nominees were approved by a majority of the members after secret balloting.
Hawa Koomson sailed through with 161 YES votes to 104 NO votes. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah went through with 155 YES votes to 110 NO votes. Dr Akoto Afriyie was approved with 143 YES votes to 121 NO votes.
The Sammy Gyamfi Rant
The results irked the supporters of the party and Sammy Gyamfi who could not believe what just befell them took to social media to lash out at Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu; Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak and the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin who was backed by the NDC for the position.
“Comrades, the betrayal we have suffered in the hands of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, the leadership of our Parliamentary group, particularly Hon. Haruna Iddrissu and Hon. Muntaka Mubarak, and dozens of our own MPs, is what strengthens me to work hard for the great NDC to regain power,” Sammy Gyamfi stated.
“The hypocrites can choose to remain quiet or even condemn us for speaking up, so they can remain in the good books of the renegades. But I and all who are pained by this act of betrayal will not keep quiet, because we don’t fear anyone and don’t wish to be in their good books. If they can defy the party leadership and interest openly and subject all of us to public ridicule, then they can and must also be called out openly. The NDC party is supreme and it must be cleansed,” he continued.
“But, when all is said and done, let’s work for the NDC with all our might and strength. Quench not your love for the party. Hope must not die,” he added.
Reactions From Party Members
Some of the party’s members did not support Sammy Gyamfi’s rant. Some members of the party scolded Sammy Gyamfi for his blatant disrespect for the Office of the Speaker. This includes members from the NPP such as the Majority Leader who defended the Speaker.
Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu added his voice. “Indeed, the Speaker is a member of the NDC but immediately he is voted for, he ceases to represent the NDC, and he needs to be accorded the necessary respect. And so, if he is being denigrated, we need to protect him and protect the institution of Parliament.”
Former MP for Kumbungu Ras Mubarak was in disbelief as he queried Mr Gyamfi. “What crime did Alban Bagbin commit for you to attack him this way? For a whole Communications Officer to attack Muntaka, Haruna and the Speaker like this means he doesn’t know them too well. Does he know how they fought for the party during the elections?”
Speaker of Parliament broke his silence with a fatherly advise to Mr Gyamfi. “Now, I don’t belong to any party. I’m Speaker of Ghana. I’m not a Speaker of NPP. I’m not a Speaker of NDC. I’m Speaker of Ghana. And I must hold the balance. So, decision-taking; no. My duty is to ensure that there’s an even playing field and the decision is taken and I announce it. That is all,” he clarified.
Council of Elders Intervention
Following all that brouhaha, the council of elders of the party held a meeting seeking to address the issue. According to a statement released after the meeting, the Council and the Caucus leadership agreed that the events of 3rd March are regrettable, unfortunate, and runs contrary to the principles of the party.
It urged members to remain calm and support the Caucus to hold the government accountable. It also expressed hope that the party will emerge stronger from this setback.
Below is the full statement.
By: Clifford Adumbire | myactiveonline.com
