Bright Honu-Nudokpo, an aspiring member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Executive Committee (NEC), has called on the Minority in Parliament to put aside what he described as “hypocrisy” and engage constructively to ensure the effective functioning of the 9th Parliament.
His comments follow a disagreement between the Majority and Minority caucuses over the Committee of the Whole’s decision to hold a closed-door session with the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama.
The Governor appeared before Parliament to respond to questions regarding the Bank’s foreign exchange interventions and the sources of the foreign currency used in those operations.
Minority Raises Concerns
The Minority criticised the decision to exclude the public and the media from the proceedings, alleging that the Majority sought to prevent the Governor from publicly acknowledging the contribution of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, introduced by the previous administration through the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), to the country’s foreign exchange reserves and economic stability.
The Majority, however, rejected those claims, insisting that there was no intention to conceal information. It argued that the closed-door session was necessary to prevent the disclosure of sensitive financial and market-related information that could negatively affect Ghana’s economy.
The Governor’s appearance followed a formal request by the Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah. He was expected to explain the framework governing the Bank of Ghana’s foreign exchange interventions, provide details of interventions undertaken since 7 January, and disclose the sources of the foreign exchange used in those operations.
Honu-Nudokpo Calls for Patriotism
Commenting on the controversy, Honu-Nudokpo expressed disappointment over the Minority’s decision to stage a walkout and subsequently address the media, describing the action as inconsistent with established parliamentary procedures and constitutional practice.
According to him, raising allegations outside the formal processes of Parliament does little to promote accountability or advance the national interest.
“For once, I ask them to act as patriots,” Honu-Nudokpo stated.
He urged Minority Members of Parliament to place Ghana’s development above partisan considerations, stressing that constructive engagement, responsible oversight and meaningful debate would enhance the credibility of Parliament and contribute to effective governance.
Mr. Honu-Nudokpo further called on both sides of the House to work collaboratively in addressing national challenges, noting that Parliament functions best when lawmakers engage in dialogue while respecting democratic principles and parliamentary procedures.
