Honorable Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, the former Majority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, has opened up about the reasons behind his resignation. According to him, he was aware of plans to replace him, which were subtly hinted at by former President Nana Akufo-Addo.
In a recent revelation, Mensah-Bonsu recounted a crucial meeting convened by the president, attended by ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs). During this gathering, some MPs secretly informed him about discussions to remove him from his leadership position.
“The president called all the ministers and MPs for a meeting, and during the meeting, some of the MPs disclosed the secret to me. They promised to support me, so I should hold on as the Majority Leader. I thank them for their support,” he stated.
However, his perception changed when he listened to President Akufo-Addo’s address at the meeting. He noted an apparent contradiction between the MPs’ reassurances and the president’s remarks.
“When I entered the house and the president was speaking, he said it was a collective decision made by him and all the MPs, which conflicted with what the MPs had initially told me,” Mensah-Bonsu explained. Realizing the shift in stance, he decided to step down from his role.
He announced his resignation immediately after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) General Secretary concluded his speech. “I did not want to be the source of any controversy or conflict within the party,” he added. His abrupt decision reportedly left the room in silence.
Further elaborating on the matter, he suggested that his removal was partly influenced by the opposition National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) strategy to select a vice-presidential candidate from the Central Region. He indicated that the NPP leadership, including Akufo-Addo, believed it was necessary to have a Majority Leader from the Central Region to enhance the party’s political influence in that area.
Source