Ransford Gyampo, a senior lecturer at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, has smoked out the National Peace Council to break its silence, days after he questioned the loud silence of the revered institution, following the chaotic developments in Parliament last week, during the approval of the controversial 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of government.
The University Professor on Friday, December 3, in a Facebook post, had questioned the barefaced silence by certain individuals and institutions, including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the country, who were in the past very critical on governance issues, economic hardship in the country among others under the previous administration.
Without mincing words, Professor Gyampo, single-out the National Peace Council, the Christian Council, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Professor Emmanuel Martey, as well as Civil Society Organizations, by asking if they still exist in the country, regarding how quiet they have become?
He wonders what may have accounted “for the low testicular fortitude of eminent men”, and their counterpart CSOs, who used to be vocal under erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) regime, and on several occasions questioned the wisdom of those at the helm of affairs in the country at the time.
“Do we still have National Peace Council? Is the Christian Council there? Why are CSOs quiet? What is accounting for the low testicular fortitude of eminent men? Rev Prof Martey’s cry which he has stopped, is still relevant “Enyansa fo eeeeiii, mo wo hi?”, Professor Gyampo wondered.
Professor Gyampo, believes that the National Peace Council, Christian Council and the CSOs must get on top of issues and make their voices heard like they used to be in the past.
His comment is believed to be in reaction to the stony silence of the eminent men as a result of the recent drama at Parliament House, between the Majority and Minority Caucus, during the approval of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.
But less than 24-hours after his statement, which many of his followers appeared to have agreed with per their comments, the National Peace Council, has through a press statement issued on Saturday, December 4, 2021, over the embarrassing incident that happened at Parliament.
The statement, signed by Chairman of the Peace Council, Rev Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi noted that, “the National Peace Council has followed with concern the current happenings in Parliament regarding the approval of the 22 Budget policy of government”.
It indicated that, the Council has taken cognizance of the potential impact of the happenings in Parliament on the peace and stability of the country, and following a separate meeting held on December 2, 2021, the it had appealed to leaderships of the House, both the Majority and Minority Caucus, to resort to dialogue and consensus building to resolve the ongoing impasse.
“In both meetings, the Council expressed concern about the disturbing happenings in Parliament and called for calm. The Council further urged the leaders to resort to dialogue and consensus building in resolving the impasse”, the statement indicated.
It said, “Both the Majority and the Minority Leaders, Honorable Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Honorable Haruna Iddrisu in their responses, informed the Council, that both sides have made concessions and a committee of 20 members drawn from both sides have been set up to dialogue and possibly find a solution to the impasse as soon as practicable.”
Meanwhile, the Council is urging the media and all those who make statements regarding the matter to exercise restraints in their pronouncements, in order to ensure peace and stability of the country.
“The Council further urges the media and all those who make statements on the matter, to exercise maximum restraint in their pronouncements to protect peace, stability, and the integrity of our beloved country”, the statement cautioned.
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