On February 9, 2023, Haruna Idrissu, former minority leader, sat in the seat of Bekwai MP Joseph Osei Owusu (NPP) during a session of parliament.
Frank Annoh-Dompreh, chief whip for the majority party, has supported former minority leader Haruna Iddrisu after claims that he “cross-carpeted” by making a submission from the majority side of the House.
Amidst backlashes, Haruna had explained why he had to speak while sitting in Owusu’s seat, which is because he was presiding at the time and also serves as the House’s first deputy speaker, according to Annoh-Dompreh, who has responded to the backlash by saying,
It is one thing for him to have said that and it is another thing for leadership to engage. The more it festers on it could create problems… so I will try and talk to Kwame if there are things they should be able to do. The timing is of the essence. They have to do it quickly.
But I’m saying that He (Haruna) sought permission publicly, this is not an issue we should drag. They should discuss the positioning for Haruna Iddrisu. He emphasized that “in terms of crossing carpet, it is about the intention, the intention was not to cross carpet… the variable which is like the litmus test in making the judgment on this is about the intention.
Justification
Haruna defended his seat change by stating,
Mr Speaker, forgive me that I have to assume your chair, there was whether I should take over from
Collins Dauda or not and I have told them that honourable Collins Dauda is senior by age and a senior
even to this house.So, I will not fit into his chair as somebody who is well-trained from home. So, any other chair Mr speaker is acceptable to me, I am still the elected member of parliament for Tamale south, I thank you.
Some Members of Parliament (MPs), including some previous leaders, have experienced changes to their seating positions in accordance with the NDC’s reshuffle in the minority leadership.
Collins Dauda was previously the Member of Parliament for Asutifi South; however, after the reshuffle, Haruna Iddrisu was elected to fill that position.
Haruna Iddrisu, on the other hand, has been unwilling to take Collins Dauda’s place.
Background
Last month, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) announced a massive shake-up in the minority leadership in Parliament. Per the decision, Haruna Iddrisu was no longer the Minority Leader, whereas Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak also lost his role as the Minority Chip Whip. However, 73 of the 137 minority MPs have signed a petition against it.
The party also made changes to other roles in a letter signed by its General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, and forwarded to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.
On Tuesday, January 24, the party informed the Speaker of Parliament about a change to its leadership in Parliament. It only explained that the decision was in the best interest of the party.
Per the changes, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson took over from Haruna Iddrisu as the new Minority Leader. Ellembelle MP, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, will replace James Klutse Avedzi as Deputy Minority Leader.
Source – Tru News Report
