Patricia Appiagyei
Parliament reopened yesterday to a combative address from the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, who declared the legislative session was opening under “grave constitutional anxiety,” amid deepening public distress, economic decline, and what she described as a “government on autopilot.”
Delivering the Minority’s official opening remarks, Ms. Appiagyei, who is the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Asokwa, delivered a sweeping critique of the Mahama administration, accusing it of undermining the judiciary, weaponising state institutions, abandoning constitutional duties, and failing to respond to urgent social and economic crises.
Judiciary Under Siege
She condemned what she called “audacious attempts” by the executive to “undermine judicial independence,” describing the recent suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as a direct assault on the judiciary.
She warned of a politically driven agenda to “pack the Supreme Court with loyalists,” citing the President’s nomination of seven new justices in a single move.
According to her, this amounted to “weaponisation of constitutional mechanisms” designed to serve the executive’s interests, not justice.
The Deputy Minority Leader also raised ethical concerns about the lawyers spearheading the petitions against the Chief Justice, noting that they were known legal representatives of both the President and the Speaker of Parliament.
“This is not just about professional conduct; it is about democratic perception,” she said and continued, “The entire process is cloaked in opacity, infected with conflict, and dripping with contradictions.”
Embassy Closure: Diplomatic Amateurism
The Minority also lashed out at the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for the abrupt closure of Ghana’s embassy in Washington, DC, following revelations of alleged visa fraud.
Ms. Appiagyei called the move “diplomatically amateurish” and “reckless,” arguing that the misconduct of one staff member should not trigger the shutdown of a key foreign mission.
“This is not a district office of a private company. It is a sovereign outpost of the Republic of Ghana,” she said, warning that the closure had left Ghanaians abroad stranded and sent damaging signals about Ghana’s diplomatic maturity.
She announced the Minority would summon the Foreign Minister to explain the legal basis, financial cost, and reputational damage associated with the decision, asserting, “Accountability in foreign service is not a slogan – it is a national imperative.”
Economic Despair and Power Crisis
On the domestic front, Ms. Appiagyei painted a bleak picture of Ghana’s economy, stating that statutory funds like the District Assemblies Common Fund have been “starved,” crippling public services and halting infrastructure projects.
She accused the government of defaulting on payments to contractors, while businesses struggled and citizens were “stranded.” She declared that dumsor – Ghana’s notorious electricity crisis – had returned “with viciousness,” severely impacting economic activity.
Despite recent improvements in the cedi’s value, Ms. Appiagyei said prices for transportation and shipping remained high, with operators quoting foreign exchange rates well above Bank of Ghana benchmarks.
“Who protects the Ghanaian consumer from this brazen exploitation? Certainly not this government,” she charged.
Governance Failures and Rising Insecurity
The Deputy Minority Leader also accused the government of constitutional dereliction, highlighting President Mahama’s recent foreign trip during which executive authority was not properly transferred to the Speaker of Parliament. “A power vacuum was created at the top, not by accident, but by design,” she said.
The MP condemned what she described as the abuse of national security powers, with operatives “raiding the homes of former appointees, MPs and ordinary citizens.” She called it a dangerous trend toward a state where “power is used for prosecution, not protection.”
Public Services in Collapse
Ms. Appiagyei listed numerous social crises facing the nation – from mounting urban waste and deadly floods to rising crime and classroom violence. She highlighted the destruction caused by tidal waves in Ketu South and Anloga, saying, “This is a humanitarian emergency,” and demanded a complete and immediate response, including the construction of long-delayed sea defence walls.
She also referenced growing violence in schools, citing reports of students attacking teachers. “If teachers must be armed to feel safe, then the government has failed. Full stop,” she declared.
Demands for Transparency
Ms. Appiagyei further demanded clarity on the financing of President Mahama’s travel on private aircraft owned by his brother, Ibrahim Mahama. “If paid for by the state, publish the receipts. If paid for by Ibrahim Mahama, what is he getting in return?” she quizzed.
She also called for urgent reforms to asset declarations, proper accounting for the Mahama Care Initiative, and immediate declaration of a state of emergency to combat illegal mining.
Call to Action
Ms. Appiagyei appealed for Parliament to rise to its constitutional responsibilities. “Parliament must not be a footnote in the story of Ghana’s democratic decline,” she said. “We must rise, speak, act – and where necessary, resist.”
Declaring that the Minority would serve as a “constitutional firewall,” she pledged unwavering commitment to accountability, transparency, and justice, and added, “The hour of constitutional vigilance is now. The season for accountability is here. Let us not fail the people.”
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House
![Suspended CJ Torkornoo and her husband in Court on May 28, 2025 [Image Credit: The Law Platform]](https://cdn.ghanaweb.com/imagelib/pics/426/42610441.295.jpg "Suspended CJ Torkornoo and her husband in Court on May 28, 2025 [Image Credit: The Law Platform]")
Suspended CJ Torkornoo and her husband in Court on May 28, 2025 [Image Credit: The Law Platform]
