Ransford Gyampo, a distinguished professor at the University of Ghana, has issued a stark warning to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament, urging them to put aside their political bitterness and support the new leadership. Speaking on TV3’s Key Points show, Professor Gyampo emphasized that it would be politically smart for the opposition lawmakers to move on from the past and work together with the new minority leaders.
His advice comes amidst claims by some NDC lawmakers that the recent approval of all the ministerial nominees was a deliberate attempt to sabotage the current minority leadership by supporters of the previous leaders. While Professor Gyampo acknowledged that some lawmakers may still be pained by the way and manner the previous leaders of the Minority were removed, he urged them to focus on the future and not let their bitterness hold them back.
“The opposition lawmakers have embarrassed themselves by approving the nominees,” Professor Gyampo added, referring to the recent parliamentary vote to approve the nomination of Justice George Kingsley Koomson and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu as Justices of the Supreme Court, as well as all the ministerial nominees of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The parliamentary approval, however, was not without controversy, as the Minority members of the Appointments Committee denied knowledge of the report, asking for more time to study it. This led to heated exchanges before the House suspended proceedings to allow the Minority Group to study the 63-page report for the debate.
In the end, the House voted to approve all the ministerial nominees, but Professor Gyampo’s warning suggests that the political bitterness within the NDC may have far-reaching consequences if not addressed. As Ghana prepares for its next general election, it remains to be seen whether the opposition lawmakers will heed his advice and work towards a more united front.