I’ll speak today — Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Veteran legislator, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu says he will speak today, February 23, 2024 on his resignation as Majority Leader.

The Suame MP resigned his position during a meeting of the Majority causes, convened by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House on Wednesday evening. With his resignation from the top parliamentary position, it is not known whether he automatically loses his other position as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. The NPP leadership is yet to officially issue a communication on his resignation.

However, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has been appointed by the party to head their manifesto committee for Election 2024.

Question
After proceedings in Parliament on Thursday, a journalist approached him to find out why he resigned from the top position. In answer, he said, “I will speak tomorrow.”

Earlier statement
However, at the meeting at Jubilee House where he announced his resignation, the former Majority Leader is reported to have stated, “I have served the party diligently ever since I entered Parliament on the same day, January 7th 1997, with the President. I believe I have served the party very well to the best of my ability, and I have no regrets. “There is a difficult battle ahead of us, to which enterprise all of us must commit ourselves. We are at a critical juncture that requires absolute unity and peace within our ranks to successfully prosecute the “Breaking the 8 Agenda.”

“In my absence from the country, certain Issues had been raised to which I have been connected. I do not want to be the eye of the storm. Nothing should be done that would precipitate cataclysmic consequences. That is why I am stressing peace and unity. For those of my colleagues who are here, let me express my most sincere gratitude to you all for the partnership and assistance that you have provided to propel the agenda of the party, and latterly, government.”

“At this stage, I would want to inform Mr President, the Members of Leadership, herein present, the Leadership of the party and all others, that I voluntarily declare my intent to step down as the Majority Leader before you my colleagues here and now, in order to afford the caucus the opportunity to choose their leader. I thank you Mr President for the opportunity afforded. Thank you all once again.”

Seating
In the Chamber of the House the day after his resignation, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu did not sit on the traditional front seat of the Majority Leader. Rather he took a seat on the second row , signaling his resignation as leader of the caucus.

It has been gathered that the new leaders of the Majority will be known at a National Council meeting today.
Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader and MP for Efutu, has been designated as the new Majority Leader. Patricia Appiagyei, the MP for Asokwa, will serve as his deputy, and Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, will remain the Chief Whip.

Flagbearer has confidence in him
Meanwhile, the Director of Communications of the Bawumia Campaign Team, Dennis Miracles Aboagye has stated that Dr Bawumia has immense confidence in the expertise of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu to lead in crafting a worthy manifesto for the party.

According to him, the former Majority Leader is a whole institution whose wisdom and brilliance, the NPP flagbearer strongly believes, will tell positively on the manifesto and eventually the fortunes of the party in the December 7 general elections.

He was speaking in a radio interview on Thursday. He said his chairmanship has nothing to do with the happenings in the Majority caucus.