The President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has expressed concern about Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s resignation as Majority Leader, alleging that the Suame legislator was sacrificed for expediency by the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In an interview with Citi TV on Saturday, February 24, Mr. Cudjoe commented that while the NPP might have considered pressuring Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu into resigning expedient, such actions raise moral questions and are deemed improper.
“I think the party must have sacrificed Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu on the altar of expediency, partly because he said he was not returning to Parliament and also because the party needed someone in the saddle who may be promoting the party’s interests.
“Expediency was that, ‘let’s send a certain signal to the electorate out there that we are probably interested in gearing up their support base with new life’ and whatever that means, I don’t know how that goes into winning an election but they are on the ground and so they probably know better.”
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu officially stepped down as Majority Leader on Friday, February 23, after informing the Majority Caucus on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
Despite speculation of coercion, the former Majority Leader maintained that his decision to resign was voluntary.
“A lot of discussions have gone on in respect of the subject matter. Some of them are very informed, others unfortunately not informed…Mr Speaker, it was amidst the discussions that at a meeting of the caucus, which the President had requested, I tended my resignation as Majority Leader in order to still the storm and facilitate peace and unity required for my party at this time,” Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said.
He added “Mr Speaker, that decision that I made was not within the presence of Parliament. This morning, I summoned the caucus meeting to formally announce to my colleagues that I’ve elected voluntarily to step down as a majority leader and by that leader of the house.”