The Minority in Parliament has declared their intention to boycott parliamentary sessions anytime their leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, is required to appear in court for the ongoing ambulance trial.
According to the NDC MPs, they will only be available for parliamentary duties after the court proceedings for the ambulance purchase trial have concluded on the scheduled hearing days.
“In light of the above, and the continuous persecution of the Minority Leader, the NDC Minority will continue to solidarize and stand by its Leader anytime he is due to appear in court,” they said in a statement signed by the Chief Whip Governs Agbodza.
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This decision comes after Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe refused to grant Dr. Ato Forson’s request for a leave of absence to attend important parliamentary business on June 11, 2024.
They expressed their displeasure with the judge’s decision to deny their earlier request for Dr. Ato Forson’s participation in an important Parliamentary Service Board and legislative meetings.
“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,” an excerpt of the statement said.
They added that Dr. Ato Forson’s court appearances will prevent him from fulfilling his legislative obligations, including delivering an address upon resumption, engaging with the media, and performing other important duties as Minority Leader.
“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 Caucus said.
They concluded by saying “the NDC Minority Caucus further reserves the right to apply all other tools available to us in our approach to business on the floor.”
