Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has voluntarily resigned from his role with immediate effect, a decision revealed at a crucial meeting of the majority group Wednesday evening.
The meeting, held at the Jubilee House’s banquet hall in Accra, was heavily guarded and convened by President Nana Akufo-Addo.
The gathering, attended by the majority of the group’s members, was called amidst escalating tensions within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary group. These tensions arose following reports of plans to replace Kyei Mensah-Bonsu with Alexander Afenyo-Markin, fuelling internal discord.
Kyei Mensah-Bonsu’s decision to step down marks a pivotal moment in Ghanaian parliamentary politics. It opens up the way for the party and caucus to formalize the leadership changes that were being contemplated. This move is seen as an effort to restore harmony and direction within the NPP’s parliamentary faction.
Justin Kodua, the Party General Secretary, is reportedly authorized to formally announce these changes within the next 24 hours. The announcement is expected to bring clarity to the leadership structure of the majority group and set the stage for a new phase of governance in Parliament.
This leadership change comes in the wake of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban SK Bagbin’s ruling, emphasizing the role of political parties in the selection of parliamentary leaders.
Bagbin’s statement, made under the authority to interpret the Standing Orders of Parliament, highlighted that caucus members cannot independently determine leadership positions, underscoring the integral role of party mechanisms in such decisions.
The shakeup aligns with the recent legal discussions surrounding the NPP’s leadership restructuring. The debates hinged on reconciling the NPP Constitution with the revised Standing Orders of Parliament, particularly concerning the selection of the Majority Caucus leadership.
This legal quandary spotlighted the conflict between the Standing Orders, which delegate leadership selection to the Majority Caucus, and the NPP Constitution, which empowers the National Council in such matters.
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The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has constituted his manifesto committee for the 2024 general elections.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader, who stepped down from his position on Wednesday, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee.
The committee shall be responsible for undertaking a holistic review of the party’s 2016 and 2020 manifestos and engaging all relevant stakeholders to come up with a pragmatic 2024 manifesto.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye, Director of Communications for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team, made this known in a statement signed and issued on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
“The Manifesto Committee is further charged to discharge their mandate efficiently and professionally to produce a comprehensive manifesto document that can stand the test of time to address the legitimate concerns and socio-economic challenges of Ghanaians.”
Below is the full manifesto committee:
1. Manifesto Committee
a. Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Chairman of the Manifesto Committee Chair
b. Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Vice-Chairman of the Manifesto Committee
c. Evron Hughes, Secretary of the Manifesto Committee
2. Manifesto Committee Coordinators
a. Prof. Kwaku Appiah Adu, Coordinator of the Manifesto Committee
b. Dr. Isaac Owusu Mensah, Coordinator of the Manifesto Committee
3. Manifesto Sub-committees Chairs
a. Dr. Assibey Yeboah, Economy
b. Tony Oteng Gyasi, Trade and Industry
c. Kwakwo Nsafoah Poku, Energy and Petroleum
d. William Oppong-Bio, Agriculture
e. Dr. Augustine Blay, Communication and Digitalization
f. Dr. Gideon Boako, Lands, Minerals, and Natural Resources
g. Dr. Emmanuel Marfo, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Environment
h. Maxwell Opoku Agyeman, Legal and Governance
i. Justina Marigold, Local Government
j. Ing. Kwabena Agyapong, Housing and Infrastructure
k. Hassan Tampuli, Transport
l. Edward Asomani, Security
m. Michael Ocquaye Jnr, Foreign Affairs
n. Asamoah Gyan, Youth and Sports
o. Juliet Asante, Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts
p. Ama Serwaa, Gender
q. Kofi Dzamesi, Chieftaincy, Religious Affairs, and Civil Society
r. Dr. Ayew Afriyie, Health
s. Dr. Prince Hamid Armah, Education
