PNC Accuses Minority Of Causing Financial Loss To The State With Boycott

The People’s National Convention (PNC) has expressed concerns about the Minority in Parliament’s decision to boycott proceedings in solidarity with caucus members.

While acknowledging that the Minority has the right to show support for their colleagues facing criminal charges, the PNC finds their decision to abandon parliamentary sittings troubling.

The party, in a statement, said the move could potentially cause financial loss to the state.

“An opposition party which professes to believe in the rule of law is expected to have faith in the legal system of our nation where they held the reins of power some few years ago.

“The Minority Members in Parliament at this moment are causing financial loss to the state by abandoning their Parliamentary business to go to court to protest for their colleague. For how long will the Minority continue this boycott of parliamentary sitting at the expense of the taxpayer?”

To be fair, the PNC suggested that members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) should also boycott parliamentary proceedings in support of their constituents who are facing trials.

“As legislators, we expect them to demonstrate their commitment to the rule of law as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. The politicization of criminal proceedings must not be encouraged at all levels if we seek to hold the tenet of the rule of law,” the statement added.

The PNC, therefore, called on the Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta to take action by surcharging all absent Minority members on the days they are absent from the House.

The statement comes on the back of a recent boycott of parliamentary proceedings by the Minority in Parliament.

The boycott was to support the Minority Leader Dr. Ato Forson, the Asutifi South MP Collins Dauda, and Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson, who are currently facing various legal challenges.

Below is the statement.