SONA 2020 boycott: Common fund excuse was a trick – Minority

The Minority in Parliament has made a quick U-turn on reasons for boycotting President Akufo-Addo’s final State of The Nation Address (SONA).

Even though the NDC MPs had earlier hinted they would boycott the SONA over the delay in disbursement of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DACF), in a rather interesting twist, the MPs said that excuse was a “ruse”.

Minority threatens to boycott February 20 State of the Nation Address

Speaking on Joy FM, Tamale Central MP, Inusah Fuseini said the NPP MPs should have been wise to know the DACF excuse they put up was just a trick to cover up the real reasons.

“I’ve heard people talk about Common Fund but the NPP should be wise. It was a ruse. There are serious issues with the way this government is being run. The issue of boycotting the SONA was not because the common fund was not paid.”

“We’re living in parliament. We know what parliamentarians can do. They try to second guess your intention. They try to bring people close to you to be able to know what you’re thinking and this time they never got what we were thinking,” he said. 

SONA 2020: Minority walkout on President Akufo-Addo’s address

The Minority MPs who were dressed in all black apparels took turns to walk out of the law-making chamber after the police band ended the national anthem.

The opposition MPs also left lots of placards with various inscriptions to drum home their concerns.

Among the placards, some read; “Free and fair elections non-negotiable,” “Why a new voter’s register”.

A section of the public took to social to express their disappointment in the Members of Parliament.

The Majority side of parliament described the actions of their colleagues as an embarrassment to the country’s democracy.

But when asked if the Minority MPs had not done a disservice to their constituents by failing to execute their day’s job as elected to do in parliament, Mr. Fuseini said his constituents endorse his actions.