Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has described the 2024 general election results as a “people’s revolution” and an emphatic rejection of the Akufo-Addo administration’s governance style.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) swept the polls with over 185 seats in Parliament and secured more than 56% of the total vote for its flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama, in what he called a ‘national rebellion.’
“It was a revolt against a government that is obstinate, insensitive, high-handed, and dismissive of public opinion,” Dr. Forson said.
Speaking at the commencement of the Seventh Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic on Monday, December 16, Dr. Forson welcomed Members of Parliament following the opposition’s decisive victory in the December 7 elections.
He criticized the outgoing administration, accusing it of “economic mismanagement, corruption, arrogance of power, and persecution of political opponents.”
Dr. Forson emphasized the need for introspection within the political class, urging leaders to respect public opinion and prioritize the national interest.
“Mr. Speaker, the lesson from what happened to the NPP is that the political class cannot take the people of Ghana for granted. This calls for introspection and deep soul-searching on the part of all those in leadership,” he stated.
The Minority Leader highlighted the NDC’s historic gains in Parliament, including the party’s takeover of more than 50 parliamentary seats from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“We have clearly shown that it is possible to reduce the NPP Majority to ‘nkokor nkiti nkiti,’” he declared.
Dr. Forson praised the efforts of the outgoing 137 NDC MPs, attributing their dedication to the party’s unprecedented success.
He also forecasted an intriguing Ninth Parliament featuring a “super NDC Majority” and an “NPP mini-micro Minority.”
Expressing gratitude to Ghanaians, Dr. Forson thanked them for electing John Dramani Mahama as the next President of Ghana, calling it a decisive choice.
“The people of Ghana have once again shown that they can rise to the occasion when it matters the most,” he said.
However, he cautioned the incoming NDC government to avoid the pitfalls of the outgoing administration.
“To our cherished NDC political party and incoming government, may we never become like the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government,” he warned.
“We have to be different. The time has come for us to do right by the people of Ghana at all times and champion people-centred policies that genuinely benefit the voter,” he stressed.