The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament has boycotted a three-day orientation programme for Members of the 9th Parliament at the plush Volta Serene Hotel in Ho, citing serious concerns of wasteful expenditure.
The Minority Chief Whip, Mr. Frank Annoh-Dompreh, announced on the floor of Parliament on Friday that cost-cutting measures should be considered for venues for parliamentary training in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s recent policy on such events.
According to him, the minority cannot be part of any profligate expenditure in an economy that President Mahama has described as crisis-stricken.
He suggested that the orientation should be done in the Chamber to reduce cost, rather done traveling to Ho in the Volta Region and staying there for three days with its associated cost implications.
Majority Leader’s plea
After listening to the concerns of the minority caucus, the Majority Leader, Mr. Mahama Ayariga pleaded with his colleagues to take part in the retreat.
He indicated that arrangement had already been made for the event in Ho and that it was important for all MPs to be part of the orientation programme.
However, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh recounted that in the previous 8th Parliament, the then National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority decried hosting the orientation at the Rock City Hotel in Kwahu Nkwatia in the Eastern Region and even at the Volta Serene Hotel because of cost concerns.
“Mr. Speaker beside the point, we have also said that, and it is important our colleagues stay consistent with their earlier argument. We all want to reduce cost and so the last time the argument was strongly made that let’s reduce cost and having the engagement here (in the chamber), what has changed? You are already saying and making the argument that the economy is not strong, so Mr. Speaker, simply put, we want to reduce cost,” he emphasised.
Taking a cue from President
The Minority Chief Whip who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsawam/Adoagyiri entreated the Majority caucus to take a cue from President Mahama.
“Assuming without admitting that our colleagues from the majority side are not taking a cue from what His Excellency the President had given, even this year’s celebration of the Independence Day is being done at Jubilee House for a very good reason, to reduce cost. You are here, you want to increase cost. Mr. Speaker they need to take a cue from His Excellency the President. For the reason of reducing cost, we are not going to Ho, we want to have the retreat here in the Chamber and that is the decision of the Minority.
“Mr. Speaker the principled position is that we want to reduce cost. This chamber is spacious enough to contain all of us, so let’s hold the retreat here just as it was done the other time. So the record should reflect same. This is the reason why we are not partaking in this weekend retreat,” he reiterated.
Lack of consultation
Mr. Annoh-Dompreh decried lack of consultation before choosing the venue for the retreat, contrary to the practice of the House.
“Cost is so important. Mr. Speaker let the record reflect now and the future that we are always for a workshop to build our capacity and we have never turned down any invitation to such gatherings.
“However, at the Business Committee meeting, I made it abundantly clear, the position of the Minority. We said that as far as this recent decision is at variance with the custom and tradition, what we are used to, we would not be part of it.
“There has never been a time that Parliament goes out for a retreat and the leadership is not consulted, the leadership is not involved in the planning in terms of the choice of the venue, in terms of resource persons to come and make presentations to us. This was not done. So our position is a principled position. We are saying that the Clerk, the management should consult leadership, that has been the practice. So until that consultation is done, we cannot be part. We cannot be part of this weekend’s retreat and let nobody take it with malice. It is a very principled position and that should be respected,” Mr. Annoh-Dompreh stated.
Speaker Bagbin’s past decision
Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who was also the Speaker of the 8th Parliament, vetoed the use of hotels for the post-budget workshop in 2023, citing the financial challenges facing the country at the time.
His veto followed then Deputy Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin’s announcement on Friday, November 10, 2023 that the workshop would be held at Rock City Hotel owned by the NPP Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong.
Presenting the business statement for the week, Afenyo-Markin stated, “The usual post-budget workshop would be organised to allow experts to elucidate further on the underpinnings of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government to Hon. Members. The workshop is expected to be held from Friday, 17 to Sunday, 19th November 2023 at the Rock City Hotel, Kwahu Nkwatia in the Eastern Region.”
However, on Monday, November 13, 2023, Speaker Bagbin expressed concerns about the development, noting that the public was against imposing an additional financial burden on the state coffers.
He indicated that the House did not decide on using Rock City as the venue for the post-budget review, adding that even though Volta Serene and Rock City presented their invoices, the latter was quite expensive, hence the reason he won’t go with it.
“I believe that democracy has finally decided and the people have prevailed on their representatives to decide that this year’s post-budget workshop be held here in parliament… As a Speaker, I will not short-change the interest of the country just because Hon Bryan Acheampong is my friend, I won’t do that.
“Reporting on Saturday early in the morning, we will use the floor of the house as the main conference,” Mr. Bagbin directed.
Speaker Bagbin’s current position
Speaker Bagbin disclosed at the opening session of the Ho retreat that the Minority NPP, formally communicated their decision to opt out on the night of Friday, February 28, 2025.
“I only saw a WhatsApp message last night that our colleagues, our brothers and sisters from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have opted out, giving a reason that is completely unacceptable,” he stated.
Expressing disappointment, Speaker Bagbin described the Minority’s stance as regrettable and unjustified, stressing the importance of the training.
According to him, the Minority argued that the financial burden of hosting the event was excessive, hence their decision to abstain.
However, Mr. Bagbin defended the choice of the venue, stating that a thorough assessment was conducted before settling on Volta Serene Hotel.
“Is good reason why we choose venues for this. It is not partisan. There is always a search party and they go round discuss with the various hospitalities, look at the cost components, facilities, their suitability, the convenience of your movements because there are other pressures on you and they score marks before we decide on where to go.
“There is no partisanship in this at all. This time around the parliamentary service followed the same, that is what is done. The final results are brought to the Speaker and until I have a very good reason why it shouldn’t be at that place, I just give approval and to have 276 Members of Parliament and staff, and the staff work with you and if you don’t build the capacity of the staff of the institution, they would not be in the position to serve you,” Mr. Bagbin stated.
Despite the Minority’s boycott, the orientation, which began on Saturday, will end today Monday, March 3, 2025.
