The Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has responded to a petition by some members of the Minority Caucus following the change in leadership of the party in Parliament.

According to the council, they are urgently taking steps to address concerns and petition from the aggrieved MPs regarding the change.

This information was contained in a press release issued and signed by the Chairman of the NDC Council of Elders, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu on January 28, 2023.

In the press statement, the Council of Elders acknowledged "receipt of a petition from some members of the NDC Parliamentary caucus regarding recent appointments to leadership positions."

"The Council has initiated steps to act expeditiously on the petition and related matters. This is a time to be circumspect in order not to play into the hands of our detractors".

This comes after the NDC on Tuesday reshuffled its leaders in parliament. Mr. Haruna Iddrisu was replaced by Dr Cassiel Ato-Forson as Minority Leader.

MP for Ketu North James Klutse Avedzi was replaced by MP for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah as Deputy Minority Leader, while MP for Asawase, Muntaka Mubarak also lost his position as Minority Chief Whip to Kwame Governs Agbodza.

While some members of the NDC, such as Volta Regional’s Youth Organiser, Mathias Alagbo, consider this change to be positive and believe that it would strengthen and prepare the party’s frontline for the 2024 elections, other members of the party disagree.

Some NDC MPs including MP for Bolgatanga East, Dominic Ayine and Tamale Central MP, Murtala Muhammed have described the abrupt change as undemocratic and concerning.

It is for this reason that some NDC MPs signed a petition to reject the party’s decision to change some of its leaders in Parliament.

Meanwhile, the Council of Elders is pleading with the NDC MPs to refrain from further addressing the issue in public.

They assured that their petition will be heard stating that "while this process is underway, the Council urges our Honourable Members of Parliament, Party leadership at all levels and all concerned persons to refrain from further public pronouncements on the matter in the larger interest of our great NDC."

The council also promised to resolve any conflicts that had emerged and urged party members to recommit to working for victory in the 2024 parliamentary and presidential elections.

“The Council assures the rank and file of the Party of an early and principled resolution of the issues and ultimately, the NDC will emerge stronger and more united. We urge all members of the NDC to re-dedicate themselves to working for victory in the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in 2024, to alleviate the suffering of the Ghanaian people."