Minority provoking us to run Parliament without them – Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor

The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has cautioned the Minority in Parliament against what he describes as continuous provocation, warning that the Majority could easily dominate proceedings if necessary.

Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues on Sunday, February 9, Dafeamekpor dismissed claims of intimidation by the Minority, stating that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has chosen consensus-building over exerting sheer numerical strength. However, he warned that if the Minority continued its taunts, the Majority could fully assert itself and make the opposition’s presence in Parliament ineffective.

“If we want to exert our powers, there will be no need for any one of them to attend Parliament,” Dafeamekpor stated. “We command our numbers; we can do everything in Parliament without recourse to them. But I don’t think that’s the kind of Parliament Ghanaians want.”

He accused the Minority of attempting to undermine the Majority with statements such as referring to them as a “micro majority.” According to him, such remarks are aimed at provoking a reaction, but the Majority remains focused on governance.

“They should know that when we are settled, we shall always dominate any matter, any day, from Tuesday to Friday,” he added.

Responding to allegations that he bullies Minority MPs, Dafeamekpor dismissed such claims, stating that he has not engaged in any form of intimidation.

“They are calling me names, saying I am bullying them. My party people would be grateful if I were truly bullying them, but I am not,” he said. “If we truly wanted to bulldoze our way, they would have no place in Parliament.”

Minority’s shifting stance on Ad Hoc Committee

Dafeamekpor also criticised the Minority for what he described as inconsistency regarding the work of the Ad Hoc Committee investigating parliamentary matters.

“This is a Minority that first resisted the Speaker’s decision. They held press conferences saying the Speaker had no power to do what he did. Now, they have changed their tune,” he said.

He dismissed claims that the committee chair, Emmanuel Bedzrah, had conducted himself in a prejudicial manner and encouraged the Minority to formally present any concerns when the committee submits its final report.

Focus on governance, not political battles

Dafeamekpor reiterated that the Majority’s primary focus is on delivering policies that benefit Ghanaians. He assured that the NDC would use its numbers to roll out key welfare policies aimed at improving the well-being of citizens.

“In Parliament, everything is done on political lines. If the Minority is conducting itself in a way that benefits the NDC, I also conduct myself to benefit the NPP and the generality of Ghanaians,” he concluded.

The Majority Chief Whip urged all MPs to prioritize national development over partisan conflicts, emphasizing that Parliament must function effectively for the benefit of the country.