Minority to Boycott Parliament in Solidarity with Ato Forson

The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has announced its intention to boycott proceedings in the legislature in protest against the ongoing court appearance of former Deputy Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson. Forson, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has been charged with conspiracy to willfully cause financial loss to the state and abetment of crime. He is accused of approving the release of funds without authorization for the purchase of vehicles for the National Security Council Secretariat. The Minority claims that the charges against Forson are politically motivated and an attempt to silence the opposition. They have described the court proceedings as a “witch-hunt” and a violation of the rights of a duly elected representative. In a statement, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, declared that they will not participate in Parliamentary sessions until the charges against Forson are dropped. He urged the government to respect the rule of law and stop “persecuting” political opponents. “We cannot sit in Parliament and pretend that a constitutional travesty is not happening. The charges against Hon. Ato Forson are baseless and intended to intimidate us,” said Iddrisu. “We will not be complicit in this charade.” The boycott has drawn mixed reactions from the public. Some have expressed support for the Minority’s stance, arguing that it is a necessary show of solidarity with a colleague who is being unfairly targeted. Others have criticized the move, saying it will only further disrupt the work of Parliament and harm the country. The boycott is expected to have a significant impact on the legislative agenda, as the Minority holds a substantial number of seats. It remains to be seen whether the government will respond to the demands of the Minority or if the boycott will continue indefinitely.Parliament Faces Attendance Issues Amid Minority’s Absence

Parliament Faces Attendance Issues Amid Minority’s Absence

As Parliament prepares to reconvene, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) minority caucus has declared their intention to boycott the chamber while their leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, is attending court proceedings. Parliament had scheduled its resumption for today, June 11th, intending to address pressing government issues, including the adoption of the 34th Report of the Appointments Committee. However, the minority caucus’s absence threatens to disrupt these proceedings. Dr. Forson is currently facing trial in an alleged financial irregularity case related to the procurement of ambulances. The NDC views these court proceedings as an attempt to keep Forson away from parliamentary affairs and has expressed support for their leader. As a show of solidarity, the minority caucus has resolved not to enter the chamber until Forson returns from court. This move could significantly impact the passage of legislation and other parliamentary business. The minority’s absence has raised concerns about the functionality of Parliament and its ability to address pressing national issues. It remains to be seen how the situation will evolve and whether a compromise can be reached to ensure the full participation of both sides of the House.The Minority caucus in Parliament has resolved to boycott parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday, May 17, 2023, in solidarity with former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson. The boycott, which was announced by Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, follows the scheduled court appearance of Dr Forson on charges relating to the issuance of a 2.5 billion-dollar bond in 2015. According to the Minority, the charges against Dr Forson are politically motivated and intended to intimidate and silence him. The Minority caucus believes that Dr Forson, who is now a Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, is being targeted because of his vocal criticism of the current government’s economic policies. The group is, therefore, calling on the government to withdraw the charges against Dr Forson and to ensure that he is given a fair trial. The Minority also called on the international community to put pressure on the government to respect the rule of law and to desist from using the judiciary to intimidate its political opponents.