Kumasi, Nov 28, – President Nana
Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was among other patrons that witnessed the enstoolment
of Mr Osei-Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs as the
“Sompahene”(Development Chief) at Breman Park, a suburb of Kumasi.
The enstoolment was heralded by
high applause and cheers from the patrons including; Mr Abraham Ossei Aidooh, a
former Majority Leader to register their joy and happiness
In a development that has
enriched the cult of the already popular and highly respected Majority Leader,
his pivotal role in the democratic culture of Ghana was celebrated by leaders
of both Majority and Minority of Parliament on Sunday.
The enstoolment, which was under
the auspices of His Royal Majesty, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll, created the opportunity for his peers to
acknowledge and celebrate the longstanding NPP Parliamentarian.
“I have come to praise him on
behalf of all Ghanaians,” President Akufo-Addo said in a short speech at the
Breman Park where an investiture had been organised to officially enstool the
Majority Leader as “Sompahene” (Development Chief).
President Akufo-Addo recalled his
longstanding acquaintance with Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu from the formative days
of the 4th Republic when a young Kyei Mensah Bonsu had helped to forge the
ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead.
The President who had danced with
the Majority Leader before taking the podium underscored that even though Hon.
Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu is of the NPP stock, his leading role in Parliament as Minority
Leader, when the NPP was in opposition, and as Majority Leader now has been
pivotal to Ghana’s democracy.
The President saluted the
Majority Leader and thanked him for his invaluable contribution to Ghana’s
democracy.
The official investiture also
attracted a galaxy of political stars from the national capital, Accra, down to
Breman, near Suame, where the event took
place.
Among them were; Mrs. Samira
Bawumia, wife of the Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Aaron Mike
Ocquaye, Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrissu, Presidential aspirant and
longstanding NDC Parliamentarian, Hon. Alban Bagbin and former Majority Leader
and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Lawyer Abraham Osei Aidooh.
Mr Aidooh, who is currently a
Board Member of the Ghana Gas Company, mentored Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, who had
deputised him while he was the Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary
Affairs under former President Kufuor.
“Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu is the
best MP ever to have come from the whole of the United Party (UP) tradition,”
Lawyer Aidooh said in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the
investiture ceremony.
According to him, on 7th January
1997 when the NPP first went to Parliament as a Minority group, Osei Kyei
Mensah Bonsu was among the 61 NPP MPs who had been sworn into the August House
at age 39 at the time.
“When I was Majority Leader and
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei was my Deputy. He was such a brilliant
young man, a very efficient planner. I remember marveling at the fact that even
though he was not a lawyer he commanded deep legal knowledge and aptitude.”
Lawyer Abraham Osei Aidooh also
praised the current Majority Leader for his humility and God fearing
disposition describing him as a gem.
“When we (NPP) were in
opposition, Osei performed very well as Minority Leader and was very
outstanding in the Minority Caucus,” Lawyer Ossei Aidooh said crediting the
NPP’s return to power, partly to the good performance of Hon. Kyei Mensah
Bonsu.
Former Majority Leader, Alban
Kingsford Sumana Bagbin also extolled the Majority Leader in an address to the
audience, confirming that Hon. Kyei Mensah Bonsu had indeed been only 39 years
old when he first went to Parliament.
“In spite of his young age
however, he said the young man conducted himself so well that he was quickly
made the secretary to the NPP Caucus in Parliament.”
He said Mr Kyei Mensah Bonsu’s
brilliance had since giving him the opportunity to lead delegations to so many
continental bodies, including the ECOWAS Parliament.
“We have come down to Kumasi here
to celebrate him; he has served Parliament well,” Hon. Bagbin said.
Among the political stars that
also trooped down to Breman to celebrate Hon. Ossei Kyei Mensah Bonsu was an
executive member of the opposition NDC in Tema East, Stephen Ashitey Adjei,
alias Moshake.
Moshake who is also the leader of
the ex GPHA workers whose severance benefits had remained unpaid since 2002
praised the Majority Leader for his contribution to Ghana’s democracy saying
Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has been a great talent for all Ghanaians.
“I am a member of the NDC but who
can deny the pivotal role of the Majority Leader in Ghanaian politics? He
deserves every praise given him. I congratulate him for his royal elevation and
hope the efficiency that he has shown in Parliament so far will be brought to
bare here too,” Moshake said.
Later, at a reception held at the
Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi, the Majority Leader expressed appreciation to his
colleagues for the honor done him.
He however singled out Lawyer
Abraham Ossei Aidooh as his senior who performed above par when he (Lawyer
Aidooh) was the Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs.
GNA
No comments:
Post a Comment