Thursday, 23rd January, 2025
Hon Cassiel Ato Baah Forson
Ajumako Enyan Esiam
Exactly two years ago today, on the 23rd January 2023, I was tasked to lead the NDC Minority Caucus of the 8th Parliament. Mr Speaker, kindly permit me to use this occasion to express my gratitude to my Colleagues in Leadership who served with me to lead our Caucus. First, as the Minority from 23rd January, 2023 to 6th January, 2025. Second, as the Majority from 7th January, 2025 to today. I pay tribute to: a) Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembele; b) Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza, MP for Adaklu; c) Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, MP for Banda; d) Ms Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe, MP for Ada.
Mr Speaker, I am equally grateful to you for your fatherly guidance throughout my tenure as Leader of the NDC Caucus. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to address this House as its Leader for the final time. Today marks the official conclusion of my journey within the Leadership ranks of this august House. It has been a remarkable period during which I transitioned from Minority Leader to Majority Leader. With this address, I formally take my leave as the Leader of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) super-Majority Caucus in Parliament.
Mr Speaker, allow me this moment to extend my deepest gratitude to H.E. Excellency President John Dramani Mahama; the National Chairman of the great NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah; the General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey; and the entire functional Executives of the NDC. Leading the NDC's Parliamentary Caucus has been an honour of the highest order. The unwavering support and collaboration of Colleagues is a privilege I have never taken for granted. Together, we have risen above our differences, weathered the storms of transition, and forged a formidable and victorious front.
Mr Speaker, as we celebrate our collective achievements, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to an even brighter future. We held the government to account, inspired public confidence, and upheld the values of transparency and service to our people. Our unity of purpose is what delivered an overwhelming and decisive victory for the NDC in the 2024 elections.
Mr Speaker, I am not perfect. Yet, throughout my tenure, I endeavoured to 15 23rd January, 2025 16 Statement serve my party and country with unwavering dedication. I acknowledge that in the line of duty, I may have unintentionally stepped on few toes. To those affected, I humbly seek your forgiveness. Leadership, I believe, is not about perfection but about the sincerity of purpose. Our actions must always be guided by good faith and the overarching interests of our nation.
Mr Speaker, two years ago, I was entrusted with the responsibility of a Minority Leader. In this relatively short time, we have collectively achieved remarkable milestones. Together with my NDC Colleagues, we provided constructive alternatives to government policies and safeguarded millions of Ghana Cedis in public funds. We championed groundbreaking legislations, including some of the most impactful Private Members' Bills in Ghana's Parliamentary history. These efforts significantly shaped national policy and discourse. It is no surprise, therefore, that the people of Ghana recognized our efforts by entrusting us with 50 additional Parliamentary seats, transforming the NDC Caucus from a Minority of 137 to a commanding Majority of 187 seats and counting.
Mr Speaker, this achievement was no accident. Mr Speaker, it was the result of hard work, perseverance, and the unity of the 137 gallant Members of the NDC Minority Caucus. Mr Speaker, as I transition from this Leadership role to the Ministry of Finance, I embrace this path with humility and resolve. I will continue to rely on the support of all Colleagues in this House as we work together for the good of our nation.
Mr Speaker, as a former Leader of this House, I assure you that neither you, nor the Members, nor the staff of this Parliament will ever be far from my thoughts. The institution of Parliament and its concerns will always remain a priority. In my capacity as Minister for Finance, I pledge to work tirelessly for the people of Ghana, ensuring that their needs and aspirations of the people of Ghana remain at the forefront of our agenda. Let us unite in the pursuit of these shared goals.
Mr Speaker, I must take a moment to recognise my good friend and brother, the Minority Leader. Though we often found ourselves at odds, our mutual respect fostered a working relationship that guided this House through some of its most challenging moments. To the dedicated staff of the Parliamentary Service, thank you for the invaluable support you have provided to me and my Leadership team. I trust you will extend the same level of commitment to the incoming Majority Leader and his team.
Mr Speaker, it has become imperative for the Majority Caucus to effect a change in its Leadership. Mr Speaker, I humbly refer to Order 6 of the Standing Orders which provides: “Majority Leader means a Member of Parliament designated 17 23rd January, 2025 18 Statement by the Majority Caucus as their Leader in the House.”
Mr Speaker, you would recall that in the 8th Parliament, on 21st February, 2024 you interpreted what constituted the designation of Leaders in this House. You reminded the House that: “It is the Party that has given you the platform to come to this House. You come on the ticket of the Party and to appoint your Leader, the Party must lead that process” You concluded with a ruling that: “The Party would lead the process to designate or appoint the Leaders of the Caucuses of the House.”
Mr Speaker, against this background, the National Executive Council of the NDC and the Majority Caucus have designated the following Hon Members as the new Leaders of the Majority Caucus: a) Majority Leader — Mr Mahama Ayariga, Hon MP for Bawku Central b) Deputy Majority Leader — Mr George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, Hon MP for Cape Coast South c) Majority Chief Whip — Mr Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor, Hon MP for South Dayi d) 1st Deputy Majority Whip — Ms Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe, Hon MP for Ada e) 2nd Deputy Majority Whip — Mr Richard Acheampong, Hon MP for Bia East
Mr. Speaker, I extend my best wishes to the incoming Leader of the House, Mr Mahama Ayariga, and his team. May they be guided by wisdom and grace as they steer the affairs of this House and oversee the successful conduct of Government Business. Mr Speaker, finally, I profoundly want to express my deepest appreciation to the good people of Ajumako Enyan Essiam for the opportunity to represent them as their Member of Parliament. Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Hon Laadi Ayii Ayamba
Pusiga
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I am very grateful that you, first of all, recognised that I needed to separate a fight between two individuals who I would never want to see having any opposed—Mr Speaker, thanks be to the Almighty Allah for giving us yet another day and for making us realise this day. I am so elated about the happenings in the Caucus. The outgone Leadership and the one before them performed marvellously, and they presented the best they could and made sure that all of us, as a Caucus, were involved in all the activities of the party. This led us to the enormous success that we chalked, and we cannot run away from it.
They have done so well; today we have another set. All I can say is that we, behind them, would hold them to the work and duties that they would lead as Caucus Leaders. We would ensure that they listen to us and we would also let them understand that motivation from leadership is very important. I know all five of them seated here. I have known each of the them for, at least, 10 years, so I know how credible they are. I hope and pray that Leadership today would emulate exactly what the past Leaders did, such that in the coming days, weeks, months, and years, we would continue to rise and fell the people of Ghana have seen that they have elected those that are worth it, and that we are doing our jobs as representatives and that we would ensure that Ghana moves forward in the right direction and that setting the Ghana we want is not an issue of only being a leader but ensuring that we provide that leadership.
Mr Speaker, in the Leadership, there is only one woman, and I want to assure that woman that, with somewhat, we are always ready to support. It is not a matter of being in the leadership chair; it is a matter of doing the leadership job, and it is a matter of supporting. It is also a matter of ensuring that you support them to make sure that they do the work as expected.
Mr Speaker, for us, we, indeed,—And I would entreat my Colleague women on our Side to support and make sure we achieve our aim. I hope and pray that the Almighty Allah will protect and guide them, so that, at the end of the day, we would get what we want and that, anytime and anywhere, they can rely on us to chalk successes.
Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for the opportunity, and I would say I wish them the best, and I hope they would be able to ensure that our Brothers and Sisters on the other Side work with us. It is very important. Whatever we are looking forward to in this Chamber as Members of Parliament (MPs), not withstanding the fact that we are the ruling Government today, it is the same thing that they are looking for, and we should know that if we have their support and always build consensus, it would go a long way to help us.
Mr Speaker, to our Brothers and Sisters on the other Side, please, overpoliticisation would not help, so I hope that they would continue to help and make us build consensus and stop litigation, so that at the end of the day, we give thanks to the Almighty for our success as Ghanaians in a nutshell.
Thank you very, Mr Speaker, and I wish us all the best.
Hon Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin
Effutu
Mr Speaker, thank you for this precious space to make a few compliments in response to the communication we received from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), announcing a change in Leadership. But first, Mr Speaker, I welcome you back home after your trip to Côte d’Ivoire on the occasion of the opening of their Legislative Assembly. You continue to project the good image of this House, and I pray that you continue with strength to deliver on your mandate in this Ninth Parliament. Secondly, I congratulate my respected Colleague, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, and his team. They have done what they have to do for their party.
Yesterday, I watched Dr Forson on television, together with the outgone Majority Chief Whip, Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza, taking the Oath of a Minister of State. I wish them well. Indeed, this is the time to serve the country in another capacity and, their party has recognised that and Mr President has honoured them. It was a great time working with them; the Eighth Parliament was a real test for the democracy of our country. I recall the many times that decisions had to be made on this Floor where they had to painfully tell me that their Side does not support me. I took it in all its stride and, today, democracy has won.
Mr Speaker, the former Majority Leader, Dr Forson, was right when he stated that, in spite of all of these, we kept a good friendship. I recall also his Chief Whip, Mr Agbodza, would disagree with me by avoiding an eyeballto-eyeball contact and looking elsewhere. He would ignore my text and WhatsApp messages, and when he is done with everything, he would tell me: ‘‘Kwame, I am sorry; I have to defend the party’s interest’’. My good Friend, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, often gave wrong signals to the optics. I think, today, our common fights would be over. People do not know how great our friendship is, but he was always getting under my skin, and I know, now as a Minister, our political fight would take a different form. This time he would have to come and defend his Government policy.
Mr Speaker, to the incoming team, led by my senior at the Bar, my respected Colleague, Mr Mahama Ayariga, we served together in ECOWAS Parliament. He was very supportive, and he has earned the respect of his colleagues in the sub-region. I know that he would build consensus. In fact, there is something I have learnt from Mr Ayariga, and I want to share. He does not mind how long it takes to negotiate to bring peace, and I have learnt that with a great deal of respect. I believe that, even as the Hon Majority Leader, he would not assume that he has the numbers, so he would have to railroad matters on this Floor. I pray that he will continue with that skill, so that, together, we would ensure the peace of this House, by assisting Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, indeed, many people in this country do not know that over 90 per cent of the issues on this Floor are resolved through consensus. It is just a few that gets into the media that takes the centre stage. I pray that we would build consensus during his tenure. But, to the Back Benchers and all of us in this Ninth Parliament, Mr Ayariga, the Majority Leader, is a great debater; he loves his procedure. Let me disclose that on the day we had this hint about him becoming a Leader of the House, one of my researchers told me that the new Leader is always glued to his law; he loves debate, so I should get my Members ready. I know that he enjoys the rules and would not allow things to go unattended, but let me quickly remind him that as a Government Leader, if he tries to introduce more debates, Government Business will suffer.
Mr Speaker, to the Hon Deputy Leader, my respected, quiet, and soberlyminded gentleman, we are both from the Central Region and we have shared great moments. I know I gave him some tough times when he was a Deputy Minister for Finance and I was in opposition, I was at the Back Bench in those days, but we still kept a good friendship.
Mr Speaker, Etse is my study mate; not many people know this, but we studied long hours to pass our law exam. Again, I know how passionate he is about the work he does, but again, too many debates would stall Government Business; be reminded.
On that note, Mr Speaker, I would want to congratulate the new team one more time and assure them that our Side would treat them with respect, work together, beautify democracy, and I assure the nation that although it is National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP)— a quote from Mr Kennedy Agyapong— it is about systems and policies. I worked with Mr Richard Acheampong, who has joined the team, on the Finance Committee. He knows the matters of the Finance Committee and he has now been brought to Leadership; it is a signal to us on what we should expect from the Majority to add up to the team on key matters. We would prepare to face you on issues on the floor. To my own mother, Ms Doyoe Cudjoe, she adds up to the beauty of Leadership; always being a mother to all of us. I know that she came to me in difficult moments and gave me some good counselling. I am happy that she is still part of the team as the most experienced to support the new team to work well for the good of all of us. Welcome once again, and congratulations to her.
Mr Speaker, without more, I shall end it here. I thank you.
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