Joe Ghartey Should Not Emerge As 2nd Deputy Speaker - Ablakwa

Some National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs-elect are canvassing for support to block the election of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) nominee, Joe Ghartey as second Deputy Speaker of Parliament. The NDC MPs are being led by a Deputy Minister of Information and MP-elect for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa who says the NPP�s complacent disposition towards the election of John Mahama as President automatically makes them an enemy to state. According to him, such people must not be given any opportunity to derail the better Ghana Agenda. �The Honourable Joe Ghartey should not emerge as the second Deputy Speaker of Parliament. In this Parliament, we have a PNC Member of Parliament; we have four independent candidates so we have a choice. The NPP is not the only non- NDC party in Parliament so that gives us options.� He further stated that the NPP �which is seeking to discredit President Mahama, embarrass him at the inauguration ceremony on Monday should not be allowed benefit from the same election which they are discrediting by appointing a second Deputy Speaker and expect us to come and vote for that second Speaker. None of us will support it.� Mr. Ablakwa also said the move by the NPP to boycott the January 7 swearing-in ceremony of the President is purposely to disgrace him in the eyes of the international media. �The NPP is seeking to embarrass President John Dramani Mahama. They have announced that they are boycotting the inauguration of President Mahama; they are discrediting the election that saw the emergence of President John Mahama as the next President of the Republic of Ghana. Some of us find it very strange and indeed conflicting. You cannot be condemning the election of President Mahama; the same election yet they are seeking to benefit from that same election.�