The Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has commended the Minority in Parliament for boycotting President Nana Akufo-Addo’s 2020 State of the Nation address last week.
He said the boycott was a demonstration of patriotism and commitment to the fight against injustice and impunity in the country.
Speaking on The Point of View on Monday, Sammy Gyamfi said the party “salutes and commends” the members of the Minority for the boycott.
“We think that it was absolutely justifiable for our MPs to walk out and tell our President that if you are not ready to listen to us, to give the victims of Ayawaso West Wuogon brutalities justice, if you are not ready to give the family of Ahmed Suale justice, if you are not ready to ensure that we protect free-speech, to ensure that we stop the lawlessness and impunity going on under your reign, then we are also not going to listen to you. As a party, we salute and commend our gallant, patriotic members of the patriotic caucus for that stance they took,” he said.
The members of the Minority caucus, clad in black, chanted parts of the national anthem and walked out of the chamber shortly after President Nana Akufo-Addo assumed his seat in Parliament last week.
The Minority in Parliament explained that their walkout was in opposition to supposed threats against the democracy of the state and to protest the rising state of impunity and injustice in the country.
Boycott had no basis
But the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu last week said the Minority Members in Parliament had no basis for boycotting the 2020 State of the Nation Address.
“It is their party’s position. It is their right to attend or not except that on this matter, there is absolutely no basis for this conduct,” the Majority Leader said.
However, Sammy Gyamfi said President Akufo-Addo had in recent times showed lack of concern for Ghanaians and superintending insecurity in the country hence their resolve to stage the walkout.