The Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) have staged a boycott of the three-day orientation training program for the Ninth Assembly, organized by the Parliamentary Training Institute (PTI) in Ho.
Majority Chief Whip, Mr. Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, confirmed the boycott during an interaction with journalists at the event, stating that the Minority had officially communicated their decision not to participate.
In a statement made in the parliamentary chamber on Friday, Minority Chief Whip, Mr. Frank Annor Dompreh, emphasized the need for cost-cutting measures regarding venues for parliamentary training. He cited President John Mahama’s cost-cutting policies and argued that the orientation should take place within the parliamentary chamber instead of an external location like Ho, which involves additional travel and accommodation expenses.
Mr. Dompreh recalled that in the previous Parliament, the then-National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority had objected to hosting orientation at Rock City in Koforidua, following public backlash over costs. He maintained that their current stance aligns with the same cost-saving principles.
Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, addressing participants, noted that he had received a text message the night before regarding the Minority’s decision to boycott. He dismissed claims that the PTI venue selection was politically motivated, stating that factors such as cost, suitability, serenity, and distance were considered. He added that the Minority’s justification for their boycott did not hold up to scrutiny.
Despite the absence of Minority MPs, the PTI training session is ongoing in Ho, the Volta Regional capital.
