The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is still reeling from its landslide defeat in Ghana’s recent elections, according to South Tongu MP Maxwell Lukutor.
Speaking on Bullet TV’s Morning Target hosted by Nana Yaw Fianko and Seli Acolatse Apaloo on Thursday, 6 February 2025, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP said the Minority caucus in Parliament remains “dazed” and in a “state of depression” following their loss.
He suggested that their frustration had influenced their behaviour during the vetting of government appointees.
“I want to believe that the elephants are still in a dazed mood after the landslide victory we have had,” Mr Lukutor said, referring to the New Patriotic Party (NPP). “In stages of defeat, sometimes you stay in a state of denial for a while, but now they are depressed. In depression, they do so many things—sometimes, honestly, when you speak to them, you wouldn’t understand why they do some of the things they do.”
His comments come after chaotic scenes in Parliament during the vetting of key government nominees, including candidates for the Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs – Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, respectively.
The commotion is currently being investigated by a committee put together by Speaker Alban Bagbin.
However, Mr George Ayisi, a member of the NPP’s communications team, who featured on the same programme, rejected suggestions that the Minority had been obstructive.
He argued that they had made significant concessions during the process.
“In fact, the rules of engagement say any nominee for vetting must be advertised for at least two to three weeks for the public to have their say if any. That was waived for two days. It’s a concession we made,” Mr Ayisi said.
He accused the Majority caucus of deliberately causing delays, particularly when vetting the Foreign Affairs nominee, whom he described as an “anti-corruption crusader.”
Mr Ayisi criticised Mr Ablakwa for failing to provide the necessary documents to back his claim that he did not own the house he lived in in Accra.
“It was so embarrassing,” Mr Ayisi added. “An anti-corruption crusader going to meet a vetting committee and you didn’t go with the necessary documents? You are renting a house in one of the high-end classy residential areas? In fact, 90 per cent of the people who live there are owners of the place.”
