A communicator for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Manuribe Richard, has asserted that the Minority’s handling of the GoldBod saga highlights an urgent need to evaluate their psychological well-being.
He stated that the Minority’s relentless effort to find fault with GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi points to conduct typical of individuals who are not of sound mind. Consequently, he underscored the necessity of conducting mental health checks for all aspiring Members of Parliament to ensure only those of sound mind represent the public.
Taking aim at Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Richard described him as a hypocrite who uses his platform to target successful young political figures instead of setting a positive example.
“The youth is the future of tomorrow and you Afenyo-Markin, who is not even up to 50 years, instead of encouraging the youth doing more, you’re rather going around blackmailing the youth. It is an unfortunate issue and purely hypocritical. The NPP has nothing useful to do. That was why they were voted out. The abysmal performance of the NPP caused their defeat to the point that they now have only 78 MPs.”
Richard argued that the Minority has failed to act as a responsible opposition. Rather than providing constructive proposals to help transform the nation, he noted that they have chosen to engage in falsehoods. He further criticised Afenyo-Markin’s tenure as Board Chair of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), maintaining that his record deprives him of the moral authority to criticise Sammy Gyamfi. He added that if state authorities had prosecuted Afenyo-Markin for his actions at the ECG, he would not be making unfounded claims.
“If Afenyo-Markin was prosecuted and jailed for his wrongs, he would have no business moving around making these allegations. He is not above the law. President Mahama, while in opposition, was investigated. Ato Forson, who was the Minority Leader, was prosecuted. So Afenyo-Markin is not above the law.”
He went on to propose that the state should assign clinical psychologists to support the opposition, alleging that their ongoing conduct stems from unresolved mental strain.
“The criticism about GoldBod by the Minority is purely hatred and hypocritical. That is why I have proposed the use of clinical psychologists to provide care for Afenyo-Markin and his Minority, the flagbearer, and the national leadership. I think as a government we have to be considerate. That is why I think we can establish this process for them.”
Explaining why he included the NPP flagbearer in his call for psychological support, Richard noted that the flagbearer leads the party and was consulted ahead of their recent press briefing.
“I will urge President John Dramani Mahama to consult the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection to establish this process so that they would be counselled to recover from their defeat, because if you ask of my experience, I know what depression means, I know what frustration means. They need a clinical psychologist to counsel them so they will be okay, so we will have a responsible opposition so we can govern this country.”
He concluded by emphasizing that Parliament is a serious institution that requires individuals of sound mind to conduct the affairs of the state effectively.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
