Time has vindicated our position on critical national issues – Ato Forson

The Leader of the NDC Minority in Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has commended members of his caucus for upholding the national interest during the tenure of the 8th Parliament. According to him, the NDC MPs defended the interests of ordinary Ghanaians by opposing government policies that sought to impoverish citizens.

Delivering his closing remarks on the floor of the House during the dissolution of the 8th Parliament on Monday, 6th January, Dr Forson stated that his side’s position on national matters had been vindicated by time.

He cited several instances, including the passage of the E-Levy, tax amnesties, and the fight against illegal mining (galamsey), among others:

Mr Speaker, every policy or action of government that we criticised, we complemented with superior, constructive, and alternative proposals. Although, Mr Speaker, our views were often ignored, time has proven that many of the positions we took on critical national issues were correct.

He continued:

One of the most significant and fiercely debated matters we witnessed in this Parliament was the protracted struggle over the Electronic Transfer Levy Bill. The NDC Minority stood firm with the people of Ghana against this unpopular tax, while our colleagues on the other side supported it. Despite the strong resistance from within and outside this chamber, the E-Levy was foisted on the people of Ghana.

The Minority Leader added:

Mr Speaker, I believe that posterity will surely vindicate our warnings regarding the reckless borrowing and economic mismanagement under the President Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Bawumia government. Records available to this House clearly show, Mr Speaker, that some individuals in government profited to the tune of US$159.3 million in transaction advisory fees, while the country was saddled with an unsustainable public debt.

We also spoke out against the mismanagement of the Central Bank, which led to the negative equity of GH¢55.1 billion in 2022 and a cumulative loss of GH¢71.3 billion between 2022 and 2023. As a result, the Bank of Ghana became policy insolvent by the end of 2023.

Meanwhile, in his address, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson commended the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, for steering the House through the challenges of a hung Parliament.

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