Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the new Minority Leader in Parliament, has given a harsh warning to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo regarding the size of his cabinet.
Dr. Forson stated that the National Democratic Congress MPs will not allow President Akufo-Addo to expand his already bloated cabinet.
He issued the warning in his first public statement as Minority Leader on Thursday.
"I desire to, first of all, convey a message to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), that the people of Ghana are calling on them to shrink their government to reflect the spirit of the country before you ask people to forsake their coupons or interests, asking the common Ghanaian to sacrifice his paycheck.
"If the President [Nana Ado Dankwa Akufo-Addo] decides to reorganize his administration, let it be known that we in the NDC would not support an attempt to expand the size of government. And if the existing size of his ministerial staff is extended by one person, that person will not receive our cooperation".
Following the present economic crisis, there have been various requests for the government to reduce its appointments.
Dr. Forson further cautioned that any new government appointments would encounter significant opposition from the National Democratic Congress.
He believes that any planned government rearrangement should reflect the country's economic predicament.
He counseled the party's rank and file to remain calm.
"We urge the party's rank and file to remain calm; Members of Parliament are on excellent terms," he stated.
The Ajumako-Enya-Essiam MP also promised to represent the party's common interests.
"It will be my obligation as a leader to represent our joint aims with unflinching devotion and great integrity," he continued.
The NDC reshuffled its leadership in Parliament earlier Ghana week, replacing Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu with Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle, also took over as Deputy Minority Leader from Ketu North MP, James Klutse Avedzi, while Kwame Governs Agbodza took over as Minority Chief Whip from Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak.
Several NDC MPs, notably Dominic Ayine, MP for Bolgatanga East, and Murtala Muhammed, MP for Tamale Central, later criticized the leadership changes as undemocratic and highly concerning, claiming they were not consulted prior to the transition.
44 MPs signed a petition opposing the party's decision. The 44 members feel the party's choice is unjust and unpopular.
However, 77 MPs are said to have signed a separate petition in support of the party's stance.