The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked its party members together with its Executives to be circumspect in their statements following the approval of Ken Ofori-Atta by the Appointments Committee.
In a press release signed by its General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the party assured its members that the decision was arrived at in view of the “exigencies of the situation”, and urged the rank and file of the party to remain calm and “circumspect” in their reactions on the appointment.
“Following what transpired previously in respect of vetting and approval of some Ministers designate the Minority leadership, the Party leadership, as well as the Council of Elders, have engaged in extensive consultations with the view to adopt a common position based on the exigencies of the situation,” parts of the statement said.
This comes after Mr Ken Ofori-Atta was approved by a voice vote in Parliament. This was based on the recommendation of the Appointment’s Committee after reaching a consensus.
Some weeks ago, the Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi together with some party members registered their displeasure on a decision taken by the NDC leadership in Parliament to approve some ministers-designate.
These appointees included now Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Fisheries Minister Hawa Mavis Koomson and Minister and Agriculture Dr Owusu Akoto Afriyie.
This led to the Council of Elders of the NDC party serving as an arbitrator to restore calm within the NDC fraternity.
With that background, the party believes that urging its members to be circumspect in their reaction to Mr Ofori-Atta’s appointment is in the best interest of the party.
The leadership of the NDC has, however, pledged to “fully” brief the party’s Parliamentary Caucus and the FEC accordingly on the said matter.
The process chaired by the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu saw the Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu second the motion to approve the Finance Minister, however, laid some concerns before the Floor of the House.
