Abu Jinapor and Minority shall not be silenced; Ablakwa was loud when in opposition – Afenyo-Markin

The Minority has declared that the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, will not be silenced following his removal from the parliamentary chamber, insisting that Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa must also be prepared to face scrutiny.

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said the caucus would not relent in holding the government and its appointees accountable, drawing comparisons with Mr Ablakwa’s conduct while in opposition.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, November 4, Mr Afenyo-Markin argued that the Foreign Affairs Minister was vocal and uncompromising in demanding accountability from the previous government and should not be shielded from similar scrutiny now that he was in office.

“Honourable Jinapor shall not be silenced. The caucus shall not be silenced. We shall hold the government and its functionaries accountable as Ghanaians have entrusted us to do,” he said.

He added: “Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa himself was never silenced. In opposition, he was loud. He never compromised. Therefore, this is not a time to shield him.”

His comments followed Tuesday’s removal of the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, from the Chamber by a Parliamentary Marshal after he refused to withdraw an allegation against Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

• Read also: Abu Jinapor escorted out of Parliament after refusing to withdraw passport allegation against Ablakwa

Mr Afenyo-Markin challenged the Foreign Affairs Minister to publicly defend the principles he championed while in opposition, insisting that his current position should not exempt him from accountability.

He said the Minority would remain committed to its oversight responsibilities regardless of the pressure it faced.

“Whatever pressure comes our way, we shall return to our duty with steady hearts, with clear voices, with unbroken resolve. This is the mighty minority,” he said.

Describing the caucus as small in numbers but firm in conviction, the Minority Leader reaffirmed its determination to continue speaking on behalf of Ghanaians.

“This is the mighty minority. We are few but firm in conviction. This is who we are.”