Keep calm, we will work in due diligence – Ato Forson assures NDC

Leadership of the Minority in Parliament is allaying the fears of members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who feel uneasy about the recent changes.

Newly-elected Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, says his team is bent on reuniting its members in the House to pursue a common agender while calling on cool heads to prevail.

“I will appeal to the rank and file of our great NDC party to keep calm. Members of parliament are in good hands we will work with them in due diligence,” he said.

He made this comment at his first press conference after taking over from Haruna Iddrisu as leader of the caucus, a move that has divided the NDC legislators.

In the shake-up, MP for Ketu North, James Klutse Avedzi, and the MP for Asawase, Muntaka Mubarak, lost their positions as Minority leader, Deputy Minority leader and Minority Chief Whip respectively.

They have been replaced by the MP for Ajumako-Enyam-Essiam, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, MP for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Kofi Buah and MP for Adaklu, Kwame Agbodza as Minority leader, Deputy Minority leader and Minority Chief Whip respectively.

But amid the controversies that followed the decision, Dr Forson explained that due diligence would be the hallmark of his leadership.

“Obviously, we are not new in this house. I’ve been in this house for 14 years. I know the capabilities of all our colleagues. Some I met, some came to meet me. I have worked closely with most of our colleagues and I can assure you that together we shall succeed,” he added.

In an interview with JoyNews on Tuesday, January 24, NDC Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia justified the reshuffle as part of the strategic restructuring of the party, from the grassroots level to the flag bearer to better position the party for victory in the 2024 elections.

However, the reshuffle has met stiff opposition from some 60 NDC MPs who say they were not consulted about the changes.

Reacting to this, the new executives have stressed that the “legitimate concerns by colleagues have been duly acknowledged.”

In a statement signed by Kwame Agbodza, the Minority Chief Whip, the newly appointed leadership revealed that a cordial and fruitful meeting had been held with the outgone Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu and that a meeting has been scheduled for Thursday morning between leadership and party executives at the party headquarters.

“That the party leadership led by the National Chairman has agreed to meet our entire caucus on Tuesday next week, specifically on the 31st of January, 2023,” the statement added.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.