Political analyst Emmanuel Nti questions why the minority in Parliament has found reason to boycott the orientation for members of Parliament due to cost concerns.
Parliament held a three-day orientation workshop for Members of Parliament (MPs) at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho, despite a boycott by the minority caucus due to cost concerns.
The event was organised by the Parliamentary Training Institute (PTI) from Saturday, March 1, 2025, and ended today, Monday, March 3.
The Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, criticised the decision to organise the orientation outside Accra when this government had claimed that the country was facing economic challenges.
But Mr. Emmanuel Nti, in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, questioned the NPP MPs and demanded answers as to the main reasons they boycotted the orientation.
He described it as a more hypocritical agenda than a genuine concern, which is meant to court political capital.
Mr. Nti posited that ”in 2021, I remember the NPP organised an orientation at Aqua Safari and did not also use the Parliament House as they have proposed today. Furthermore, it is surprising that, excuse my language, the NPP has found wisdom in the need for financial prudence and fiscal discipline. When the former President Akufo-Addo appointed 120 ministers, what did they do about it?’’
He opined that the orientation being held at the Volta Serene Hotel could offer the MPs an opportunity to be in a new environment, adding that the cost of the orientation cannot be compared to the cost involved in former President Akufo-Addo’s decision to charter a private jet and bathe in the air. So I don’t understand why the minority will make a case out of this. At the end of the day, the MPs need a conducive and serene environment for their orientation so they will come back and work in our interest.
But we also thank God that today Afenyo-Markin and his caucus have realised that it was important to be prudent in your spending. I disagree with them, but moving forward, the parliament of Ghana should choose areas that can help optimise our resources.
He went on to say that we would need to gather all of the facts and make sure that organising the orientation at the venue was not too expensive before condemning the speaker, and that if it was, parliament could do better the next time.
He also chastised the NDC, questioning why they opposed a similar orientation due to cost concerns but then reversed their position after taking office.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
