We won’t cooperate in Parliament if… – Minority

The Minority in Parliament has declared that it will only cooperate in government business if President John Dramani Mahama takes decisive action to address the post-election violence and lawlessness.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Weija Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, called on the President and the Election Security Taskforce to act swiftly to restore law and order.

“We urge President Mahama to immediately rein in his party’s thugs and ensure peace. It is unacceptable for the President to turn a blind eye to the ongoing violence and disorder across the country,” Mr. Shaib said.

He also appealed to the Ghana Police Service, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Election Security Taskforce to uphold their mandate by enforcing the law without fear or favor.

Referring specifically to the unrest that has delayed the collation of results in the Ablekuma North parliamentary election, Mr. Shaib emphasized the importance of protecting officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) and other stakeholders involved in the electoral process.

“The EC staff and everyone playing a role in this electoral process are Ghanaians like us and deserve to work in safety,” he remarked.

Mr. Shaib warned that failure by the President to act decisively would prompt the Minority Caucus to take further steps.

“If the Commander-in-Chief does not ensure the protection of ordinary citizens, we, the Minority Caucus, will resort to lawful protests and withdraw our cooperation in Parliament,” he cautioned.

The Minority’s call comes amidst heightened tensions in the aftermath of the elections, with demands for the government to demonstrate leadership in ensuring peace and stability.