Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday, the bill co-sponsor described the claims as “untruthful,” insisting that the Effutu MP never engaged the bill’s sponsors in any agreement or amendment discussions.

“For crying out loud, you can ask Moses Foh-Amaning when we met as a group of sponsors. I was leading this whole business until we appointed Sam George as our spokesperson. If there was anybody who needed to be spoken to, it was me. Honourable Afenyo-Markin has never come to us as sponsors to change, amend, or even hold the bill,” Mr. Bedzrah stated.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin had earlier claimed that, while serving as Majority Leader in the last Parliament, he consulted high-ranking NDC figures before the bill was passed for presidential assent. Mr. Bedzrah, however, insisted no such meeting took place.

“Those people above us call us as party folks who were pushing for the bill. I am telling you on authority that Sam George did not inform us that anybody had called him. Our party was behind us. We meet as eight members, including Ntim Fordjour, to agree on how to proceed,” he added.

Bedzrah also rejected suggestions that the NDC betrayed Afenyo-Markin following supposed backroom negotiations.

“In Parliament, any such negotiations would have to involve the sponsors. If it were a ministry, you speak to the ministry. Nobody had any conversation with us. Otherwise, we would have backed down. You came thinking that because you are Majority Leader, people should just comply,” he said.

He further questioned Afenyo-Markin’s current advocacy for the bill, calling it contradictory.

“This is the first time I’m hearing this, and I am surprised that the same Minority Leader now stands in Parliament advocating for the bill. What kind of double tongue is this?” he asked.

Emphasizing his personal conviction, Mr. Bedzrah declared that his political career hinges on the bill’s passage.

“I can say on principle that if this bill is not assented to, I will not come back to Parliament again. This is a live studio, and I’m saying it — I’ve told my colleagues the same. What do I come to do if I don’t have a moral principle for my generations unborn?” he said.

He stressed that his stance is rooted in principle rather than politics.

“That is my whole life. I did not enter Parliament just to be an MP. Our principles must be defended. Some of us are not there to do politics. We are there for a purpose — for the forward movement and advancement of this country. I’m very passionate about it,” Mr. Bedzrah concluded.

This mass defection has sent ripples through the political landscape, raising questions about the NDC’s hold on the area as the 2024 elections approach.

Speaking with Adom News, the defectors cited several reasons for their decision to switch allegiance.

They expressed satisfaction with the current leadership, saying that the NPP development agenda and commitment to improving infrastructure and social services in the region as motivating factors for their move.

They believe aligning with the NPP will better serve the interests of their communities and enhance their chances of effective governance.

The NPP Regional Chairman, Yaw Evans Dapaah warmly welcomed the new members, emphasising the party’s commitment to inclusivity and progress.

He said they were excited to have these dedicated individuals join the ranks of the NPP.

Mr Dapaah lauded that the defectors experience and local knowledge will be invaluable as they work towards a brighter future for Krachi East.

He has therefore urged the defectors to propagate and adopt a house to house approach to enable them break the “8” jinx.

He outlined various social interventions introduced by the NPP government which need a continuity to move the country forward in a better direction.

Also, the Oti Regional NPP Secretary, Jonathan Manu Akpabe encouraged defectors to stay focus and support the party agenda in the coming election.

He said it is crucial for the NPP party to remain in power and protect the good works of president Nana Akufo-Addo.

Jonathan noted that, with the creation of the Oti region, the people are witnessing massive infrastructure development which include, road infrastructure, education, and other sectors.

The Regional Secretary therefore called on residents to break-away from the NDC and rally behind the NPP in the upcoming elections.

Source: Obrempongba K. Owusu

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Mr Sulemana said before politics there were Kagbenye (descendants of Ndewura Jakpa), hence partisan politics should not destroy the beautiful bond between them.

It would be recalled that on Sunday, February 25, 2024, there was a scuffle between NPP and NDC supporters at the final funeral rites of the late Queen mother of Busunu, Busunuwuriche Azara Seidu at Businu, a suburb of West Gonja in the Savannah Region where security personnel had to fire warning shots to defuse tensions and ensure law and order.

Some high-profile politicians from the two sides, like former President John Dramani Mahama, the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema-Opare, the Member of Parliament of Damongo, Abu Jinapor, and the Savannah Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jebril including some former government appointees were all in attendance at the funeral when the confusion broke out.

Recounting a similar incident between supporters of NPP and NDC during the seventh-day funeral rites of the late Yagbonwura, Tuntumba Sulemana Bore Essa II at Damongo where he (Sulemana Iddrisu) single-handedly intervened and restored peace, he bemoaned such occurrences and appealed for calm and unity among both parties’ supporters.

“What do we gain as NPP and NDC supporters? Or is politics superior to Kagbenye; if not, let’s revisit the unity and peace of our forefathers. It’s shameful and very embarrassing for us to allow others to come in and cause the problems and disappear and our name is smeared with all the negative tags.”

Professor Kalamonia maintains, “We have seen how politics has divided and destroyed families in some other regions and we shouldn’t allow that to happen to us here because we are Kagbenye” he insisted.

He added that, as a party Chair, he believes in fairness and wouldn’t allow any bad blood in the name of politics.

He, however, warned the first National Vice Chairman of NDC, Sofo Azorka not to repeat the alleged transportation of vigilante boys known as ‘Hawks’ [Azorka’s Boys] in NDC party T-shirts to funeral grounds in the region to create chaos.

He commended the Savannah Regional Chairman of NDC, Seidu Imoro for distancing himself from the incident as a true son of the Kingdom who also believes in fairness.

In recounting the incident at Busunu, Mr Iddrisu Sulemana said, “Assuming you were seated before our team arrived, why were they chasing almost everybody away but allowed Azorka who came with a bus full of people from Tamale? The former president couldn’t say a word because his people embarrassed him. And what happened was a total embarrassment to us all”, Mr Sulemana Iddrisu lamented.

Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu further stated that the event which was allegedly turned into a political event by the NDC gave way to the display of such uncalled-for behaviour instead of praying for somebody’s, Mother, or sister’s departed soul.”

Mr Sulemana expressed dismay at seeing how his opponents continue to turn the funerals of high-profile sons and daughters in the region into political campaign platforms.

“As you can see, the NDC party’s colours were all over and their leaders were very comfortable watching and smiling. No. Let’s learn as people and protect our image as a family”, Prof Kalamonia appealed.

He also appealed to the leadership of both sides to put measures in place to curtail any future occurrences in the region.

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