Majority Leader’s resignation: NPP engaging in politics of personification

The changes made to the leadership of the Majority in Parliament is an indication that all is not well in the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) hence they are correcting issues ahead of the 2024 general elections, a political science lecturer at the University for Development (UDS), Dr. Alidu Bukari, has said.

He says by those changes, the NPP is engaging in politics of personification.

Sharing his views on the resignation of Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu as Majority Leader while speaking on the mid-day news on 3FM with Beatrice Adu on Thursday, February 22, Dr Bukari said “Remember that earlier we got the news that those changes were made but they came and dismissed the idea and said that it was not true and that no leadership had been changed in the NPP in Parliament, so for the Majority leader to now come out resigning gives an indication that all is not well in the party.

“Of course, leadership is a cost. Probably, the party is gearing toward the 2024 elections and they know what it takes for them to break the 8, so I will say that what the NPP is doing now is politics of personification i.e they are trying to show Ghanaians who is qualified or fit to be where and at what point in time especially when we are having just less than seven months to the election. So I am not surprised. It gives credence to the fact that all is not well at the party and now they are trying to put things together and match up to the opposition.”

“For them to now justify why the change, probably the gentlemen, Honorable Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was forced to resign,” he stressed.

On the resignation, the Member of Parliament for Suame Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu indicated after announcing his exit that he has served the NPP diligently ever since he entered Parliament.

Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is currently one of the longest-serving lawmakers in Ghana. He entered Parliament on the same day as President Akufo-Addo did on January 7th, 1997.

He tendered his resignation as Majority Leader at a meeting involving the President, the Majority Caucus and the National Officers of the NPP at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

“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’.

He added “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.”