It was an unprecedented in the history of Ghana’s politics and governance when legislators of a ruling government boldly called for the dismissal of its Finance Minister on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.
Majority of the Majority Members of Parliament appended their signatures on a petition for the removal of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta due to what the Spokesperson for the ‘Judas MPs’, Andy Appiah-Kubi, who is also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North Constituency in the ruling party’s strong hold, Ashanti Region, termed as conflict of interest, gross misconduct, non-performances, unconstitutional withdrawal, among others.
Most Ghanaians, even the ‘ordinary’ Ghanaian in the markets, in trotros, and other places, have hailed these bold MPs in their quest to salvage Ghana from this mess and slumber.
Sadly, fifty seven (57) MPs refused to join this good course for the nation.
The Majority in Parliament (NPP MPs) are 137, plus the MP for Fomena Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, who is an Independent MP but hold allegiance to NPP, making them 138 MPs, which is a slim margin.
In fact, Andrew Amoako Asiamah is also the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
With the announcement by the ‘Judas MPs’ that 80 out of the 137 Majority MPs, signed the petition, the question that arises are that, what happened to the 57 MPs? Does that mean they are comfortable with the current economic happenings in the country? Does that mean they have not visited their constituents as Hon Appiah Kubi told the nation that they consulted theirs? Does that mean they do not have their constituents at heart?
I believe strongly that these MPs who refused to support this wealthy course for the nation are the MPs who are also Ministers of state and deputies.
This is because, they have been given appointments by President Akufo-Addo and as such they owe allegiance to him and not the nation and the people.
But let me remind them that they refused to give their consent to such an endorsement but it has been hailed by other members of the ruling NPP who are in their various constituencies.
These MPs are:
- Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Ablekuma West MP from Greater Accra Region and Communications Minister
- Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Ofoase-Ayirebi MP from Eastern Region and Information Minister
- Ambrose Dery, Nandom MP from Upper West Region and Interior Minister
- Dominic Nitiwul, Bimbilla MP from Northern Region and Defence Minister
- Daniel Kweku Botwe, Okre MP and Local Government and Rural Development Minister from Eastern Region
- Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Suame MP from Ashanti Region and Parliamentary Affairs Minister
- Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Manhyia South MP from Ashanti Region and Energy Minister
- Yaw Osei Adutwum, Bosomtwe MP from Ashanti Region and Education Minister
- Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, Dormaa Central MP from Bono Region Health Minister
- Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, Damongo MP from Savanna Region and Lands and natural Resources Minister
- Kwasi Amoako-Attah, Atewa West MP from Eastern Region and Roads and Highways Minister
- Francis Asenso-Boakye, Bantama MP from Ashanti Region and Works and Housing Minister
- Mavis Hawa Koomson, Awutu Senya East MP from Central Region and Special Development Initiatives Minister
- John-Peter Amewu, Hohoe MP from Volta Region Railways Development Minister
- Ebenezer Kojo Kum, Ahanta West MP from Western Region and Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister
- Kwaku Afriyie, Sefwi Wiawso MP from Western North Region and Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister
- Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Sunyani West MP from Bono Region and the Employment and Labour Relations Minister
- Lariba Zuweira Abudu, Walewale MP from North East Region and Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister
Now, the Deputy Ministers who are also MPs for the ruling party
- Tina Naa Ayele Mensah, Weija-Gbawe MP from Greater Accra Region and Deputy Health Minister
- Mahama Asei Seini, Daboya/Mankarigu MP from Savanna Region and Deputy Health Minister
- Benito Owusu-Bio, Atwima Nwabiagya North MP from Ashanti Region and Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister
- George Mireku Duker, Tarkwa Nsuaem MP from Western Region and Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister
- Mavis Nkansah Boadu, Afigya Sekyere East MP from Ashanti Region and Deputy Roads and Highways Minister
- Stephen Pambiin Jalulah, Pru West MP from Bono East Region and Deputy Roads and Highways Minister
- Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana, Gushegu MP from Northern Region and Deputy Transport Minister
- Frederick Obeng Adom, Upper West Akim MP from Eastern Region and Deputy Transport Minister
- Kofi Amankwa-Manu, Atwima-Kwanwoma MP from Ashanti Region and Deputy Defence Minister
- Naana Eyiah Quansah, Gomoa Central MP from Central Region and Deputy Interior Minister
- Ama Pomaa Boateng, Juaben MP from Eastern Region and Deputy Communications Minister
- Abdulai Abanga, Binduri MP from Upper East and Deputy works and housing Minister
- Moses Anim, Trobu MP from Greater Accra Region and Deputy Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Minister
- Kwaku Asante Boateng, Ashanti Akyim South MP from Ashanti Region and Deputy Railway Development Minister
- Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, Sissala East MP from Upper West Region and Deputy Sanitation and Water Resource Minister
- Bright Wereko Brobbey, Twifo Hemang-Lower Denkyira MP from Central Region and Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations
- Abena Osei-Asare, Atiwa East MP from Eastern Region and Deputy Finance Minister
- Nana Dokua Asiamah Adjei, Akuapem North MP from Eastern Region and Deputy Trade and Industry Minister
Folks, my argument is, these MPs put the national interest aside and focused on party and possibly parochial interest.
It is as if these MPs are not representing their people, because if they are, they would have engaged them while on recess to know their plights and challenges and join their colleagues in their quests to save the nation.
Dear voters of Ghana, 2024 is just around the corner and I leave the above MPs and Ministers who could not put themselves into your shoes in this era of hardship into your hands.
A word to a wise is enough.
By Kweku Antwi-Otoo
The writer is an Editor/Producer with Media General.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this article does not reflect the editorial policies of Medial General.
