Fifi Kwetey Clarifies NDC's Stance on OSP Bill Amid Presidential Intervention
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has refuted claims of a deliberate plot to abolish the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey stated the withdrawal of a private member’s bill seeking the OSP’s dissolution was a direct response to presidential intervention.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, Mr. Kwetey, a former Member of Parliament for Ketu South, emphasized that the move wasn’t a coordinated effort by the party to undermine the anti-corruption office. “What I will say is that you heard what the President actually said, that they should withdraw it,” he stated.
The controversy arose after the Majority Leader and Chief Whip in Parliament sponsored a bill aiming to scrap the OSP, triggering significant public backlash and raising concerns about the NDC’s intentions.
Mr. Kwetey clarified that the issue wasn’t about a desire to weaken the Special Prosecutor, but rather a breakdown in internal party communication. “The majority leader, the chief whip, they are doing a great job so far,” he said. “There’s a need for them to also appreciate that they are not an island. They’re operating as part of the party.”
He revealed that the party’s leadership was not consulted prior to the bill’s introduction. “Clearly, we were not consulted,” he affirmed.
According to Mr. Kwetey, crucial decisions should be made collectively to prevent a situation where the President is compelled to publicly contradict his own party members. “So the point I’m making is, don’t go do things that will force the President to come and say no,” he said. “Work as an organ. Work together.”
He indicated that he had already addressed the matter privately with parliamentary leaders and would refrain from further public discussion. “I’ve already said that on a private level, and I have told them,” he added. “As for the public, that’s all I can say.”
When pressed on whether the President’s intervention was the sole reason for the bill’s withdrawal, Mr. Kwetey stated that such occurrences should be avoided in the future. “Naturally it will be,” he said. “But we don’t need to go through that in the future.”
He also cautioned against hasty decision-making without proper consultation, specifically directing the comment towards the Chief Whip. “And that goes especially to the chief whip,” he said. “Sometimes, he tends to want to hasten things without proper consultation.”
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