Minority Rejects Speaker’s ‘Thank You Tour,’ Citing Lack of Tolerance
Ghana’s Minority in Parliament distances itself from a proposed “thank you tour” by the Speaker, citing concerns over tolerance, cooperation, and the future of bipartisan governance.
Tensions in Ghana’s Parliament deepened on Tuesday as the Minority caucus publicly distanced itself from a planned nationwide “thank you tour” linked to the Speaker of Parliament, CJ Baffoe-Bonnie. The Minority said it does not recognize the current leadership style of the Speaker as tolerant enough to merit participation in what it described as a celebratory exercise.
Speaking to journalists in Accra, a Minority spokesperson stated that while the caucus respects the office of the Speaker, it remains dissatisfied with recent decisions and conduct that, in their view, undermine fairness and inclusiveness in parliamentary business.
“We, the Minority, don’t see him as a tolerant head of Parliament today, but we will not be part of his ‘thank you tour,’” the spokesperson said.
The comments come amid heightened political polarization in the House, where disagreements over procedure, committee leadership, and legislative priorities have increasingly spilled into the public domain. The Minority argues that a tour framed around appreciation sends the wrong signal at a time when trust and consensus-building are needed.
Supporters of the Speaker, however, maintain that the tour is meant to acknowledge traditional leaders, constituents, and parliamentary stakeholders for their support of democratic governance, not to score political points. They insist that engagement beyond the chamber is a normal part of parliamentary leadership.
Political analysts say the Minority’s boycott reflects broader concerns about power balance and dialogue in the current Parliament. Some warn that continued public standoffs could erode confidence in the legislature, while others see the disagreement as a healthy if noisy expression of democratic checks and balances.
As Ghana’s Parliament navigates a delicate political climate, the coming weeks will test whether leaders can move beyond symbolic disputes and refocus on legislation, accountability, and cooperation in the national interest.
