Minority walkout over Wontumi detention lacks strategic value in current Parliament – ACEPA boss

Dr. Rasheed Draman, Executive Director of ACEPA, questioned the Minority's walkout from Parliament. This protest was against the detention of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi.

In an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse, Dr. Draman said the Minority's strategy seems outdated. He noted that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) holds a comfortable majority in Parliament.

He asked, "What’s the value of a walkout when the NDC can form a quorum?" His comments followed the Minority MPs' walkout on Thursday after Wontumi's arrest.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin announced they would boycott all parliamentary proceedings. They demand that EOCO review and relax Wontumi's bail conditions.

Wontumi is being investigated for allegedly causing financial loss to the state. After their walkout, MPs marched to EOCO’s office in Accra to show support for him.

Dr. Draman advised the Minority to rethink their approach. He suggested they should stay in Parliament to demand accountability instead of boycotting.

He emphasized that this ninth Parliament does not favor such tactics anymore. “If they have questions, they should stay and seek answers,” he said.

Otherwise, he warned they might be seen as playing politics rather than seeking justice.