An open letter addressed to the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament has surfaced, expressing strong dissatisfaction with the attendance of NDC Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House.

The letter, signed by Ebenezer Mensah, a Branch Secretary from Amenfi West in the Western Region, conveys the frustrations of the party’s grassroots over what they describe as a lack of seriousness by NDC MPs in executing their legislative duties.

Concerns over parliamentary commitment

According to the letter, the Ghanaian electorate voted overwhelmingly for the NDC to secure a two-thirds majority in Parliament with the expectation that the party would effectively counter the policies of the previous administration and facilitate governance under President John Mahama.

However, Mensah laments that some NDC MPs appear to still be in a celebratory mood, failing to attend parliamentary sittings regularly. He cites recent events surrounding the approval of Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah as Minister Nominee for Lands and Natural Resources, where the MP was asked to apologize for remarks made during former President Akufo-Addo’s last State of the Nation Address.

“We are saddened by events prior to the approval of Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah,” the letter states.

Mensah also questions the Minority Leader’s claim that they "do not have the numbers," despite the caucus having 183 NDC MPs and four Independent MPs aligning with them, bringing their total to 187.

“How on earth should 88 NPP MPs obstruct government business when we have 187 MPs on our side?” he queries.

Is the NPP dominating parliamentary affairs?

The letter further claims that the NPP, despite having fewer MPs, is overshadowing the NDC caucus, both at the vetting and on the floor of Parliament. Mensah references past incidents, including the controversial passage of the E-Levy under the Akufo-Addo administration, during which he alleges that the NPP engaged in undemocratic practices.

“We are not happy because, despite claiming to build democracy, the NPP in their last administration was undemocratic, especially in the way they passed the E-Levy,” he asserts, though he acknowledges this as his personal opinion.

Call for Immediate Change

In a direct appeal to the NDC leadership in Parliament, Mensah warns that party supporters may be forced to monitor MPs' attendance at the constituency level if the situation does not improve.

“We do not want to get to a point where we have to get our own register at the constituencies to track MPs’ presence in the chamber,” he warns.

He urged NDC MPs to ensure full participation in parliamentary proceedings, starting Thursday, January 30, 2025, to prevent further obstruction of government business by the NPP.
Mensah also expressed nostalgia for the leadership styles of former Majority Leader Alban Bagbin, former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, and Cassiel Ato Forson, recalling their firm stance on key national issues.

“I really miss the leadership of Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin when he was Majority Leader. Again, I miss Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson as Minority Leader, how he stood his ground to oppose the E-Levy, and the leadership of Hon. Haruna Iddrisu and Hon. Muntaka, who ensured Bagbin was elected as Speaker in the 8th Parliament,” he notes. Mensah concludes his letter with a passionate plea: “Do not make us believe Afenyo-Markin is superior in parliamentary proceedings.”

It remains to be seen how the NDC leadership will respond to this outcry from its grassroots.