PNC to Minority: By skipping parliamentary sessions, you are costing the state money

The Minority decided to boycott parliamentary proceedings in order to support their colleagues who are now facing charges, according to the People’s National Convention (PNC), however the PNC has expressed criticism of that choice.

The PNC contends that the state is losing money as a result of this boycott.

The NDC Minority in Parliament made the decision to abstain from Thursday’s proceedings in order to stand behind two Caucus members—Minority Leader Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and MP for Assin North Hon. James Gyakye Quayson—and express its support for them.

As part of continuing investigations by the Attorney General and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government, the defendants are due in court today.

Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minority Chief Whip, issued a statement saying that the Minority “stands united with our colleagues and, therefore, will be unable to carry out the business of the house today.”

However, the PNC disagrees with this choice. The Minority has the right to show solidarity for their fellow MP during these trying times in the Legislature, according to a statement from the PNC General Secretary dated July 7, 2023.

But it’s concerning that they’ve decided to skip meetings because a republican has filed criminal charges against a comrade. One would anticipate that an opposition party that claims to uphold the rule of law would have confidence in the judicial system of the country where they formerly held the reins of power.

“By forgoing their parliamentary duties to go in court to support a colleague, the minority members of parliament are currently creating a financial cost to the government. How long will the Minority in Parliament keep forcing the tax payers to foot the bill for their boycott of legislative proceedings? questioned the General Secretary.