Minority threatens to boycott Parliament over Ato Forson’s trial

The Minority caucus in Parliament has expressed its unflinching support for Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, throughout his ongoing trial.

The minority members have stated they will be “available for the business of Parliament after proceedings of the court have ended on the days scheduled for the hearing of the ongoing ambulance case trial.”

The Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza, announced on Tuesday, June 11, that this stance is a response to High Court judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe’s denial of a request by the Minority Leader’s lawyers.

“The request was for the court’s permission to allow him to participate in significant parliamentary activities on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, coinciding with the resumption of the House’s third meeting of the fourth session.

“Last week, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe again rejected a similar request from the Parliament of Ghana to enable the Minority Leader to take part in a meeting of the Parliamentary Service Board which was due to take critical decisions ahead of the resumption of Parliament, among others. The NDC Caucus was left with no representation at these important meetings.”

“Today, as Parliament commences its third meeting of the fourth session of the eighth Parliament, the Minority Leader is expected to deliver a resumption address, join parliamentary leadership to engage the press and undertake other important activities, as part of his legislative mandate. These are part of very important parliamentary duties exclusively reserved for the leader of a Parliamentary Caucus at the commencement of a parliamentary meeting,” Mr. Agbodza elaborated.

He also noted the NDC Minority Caucus’s concern over what they perceive as a pattern by the trial judge to obstruct the Minority Leader from fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities as an elected MP and the Leader of the Minority Caucus.

“In the light of the above, and the continuous persecution of the Minority Leader, the NDC Minority will continue to solidarise and stand by its Leader anytime he is due to appear in court,” he affirmed.

Furthermore, the Minority Chief Whip declared that the NDC Minority Caucus reserves the right to utilize all available parliamentary tools in its legislative approach.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT 

PRESS STATEMENT

NDC MINORITY CAUCUS TO SOLIDARISE WITH MINORITY LEADER, DR. CASSIEL ATO FORSON IN ONGOING COURT CASE

The NDC Minority Caucus will only be available for the business of Parliament after proceedings of the court have ended on the days scheduled for the hearing of the ongoing ambulance case trial.

The decision comes on the back of the refusal of the presiding High Court judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe (Mrs), to grant a request from the lawyers of the Minority Leader for the leave of the court to enable him attend to important parliamentary business on Tuesday, 11th June, 2024 when the House resumes its third meeting of the fourth session.

Last week, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe again rejected a similar request from the Parliament of Ghana to enable the Minority Leader take part in a meeting of the Parliamentary Service Board which was due to take critical decisions ahead of the resumption of Parliament, among others. The NDC Caucus was left with no representation at these important meetings.

Today, as Parliament commences its third meeting of the fourth session of the eighth Parliament, the Minority Leader is expected to deliver a resumption address, join parliamentary leadership to engage the press and undertake other important activities, as part of his legislative mandate. These are part of very important parliamentary duties exclusively reserved for the leader of a Parliamentary Caucus at the commencement of a parliamentary meeting.

The NDC Minority Caucus has taken notice of this worrying trend that shows an attempt by the trial judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, to prevent the Minority Leader from performing his constitutional duties as an elected Member of Parliament and the Leader of the Minority Caucus.

In the light of the above, and the continuous persecution of the Minority Leader, the NDC Minority will continue to solidarise and stand by its Leader anytime he is due to appear in court.

The NDC Minority Caucus further reserves the right to apply all other tools available to us in our approach to business on the floor.

**END**
KWAME GOVERNS AGBODZA, MP
MINORITY CHIEF WHIP