The Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP), has boycotted a three-day orientation programme for Members of the 9th Parliament currently underway at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho, Volta Region.
The programm, which began on February 28, 2025, aims to equip members with parliamentary practice, lobbying and advocacy skills, efficient debating skills, and their duties as representatives.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Parliament has organized an orientation programme.
In the previous administration, when the NPP was in power, a similar programme was scheduled to take place in the Eastern Region. However, due to cost concerns, the programme was eventually held at the Accra Parliament House instead.
Fast forward to the present, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in power, the orientation programme has been moved to the Volta Region, specifically Ho, the political world bank of the NDC.
This decision has raised eyebrows, particularly given President Mahama’s recent statement that the country is broke.
The Minority’s decision to boycott the orientation programme cites the cost involved in organizing the programme as their reason.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, described the decision as “unacceptable” and “unfortunate,” given the importance of the training programme.
“Their reason is that the cost component is too much, and they don’t want to be part of that,” Speaker Bagbin explained.
He added that the choice of venue and its associated cost was arrived at after a thorough assessment and review by a search party.
The Speaker emphasized that the procedure for selecting the venue was followed diligently, and the Volta Serene Hotel was chosen based on its suitability and convenience.
The question on many minds is why the orientation programme was moved from Accra to Ho, despite the country’s economic challenges.
The Minority’s boycott has brought this issue to the fore, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
The orientation programme, facilitated by the Parliamentary Training Institute (PTI), is expected to end on Monday, March 3, 2025.
Despite the Minority’s boycott, the programme has commenced, with the Speaker urging members to remain conscientious and accountable to the public.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
