We Need Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu In Parliament But... - Dan Botwe

Three days to the opposition New Patriotic Party’s Parliamentary polls and the Minority Leader of Parliament, Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu who is seeking re-election at Suame Constituency in the Ashanti region seems to  have the backing of his colleague MP for Okre Constituency, Dan Botwe.

The Suame Constituency is fiercely contested by three aspirants, John Darko, Mr. Kwadwo Boateng Genfi and the incumbent Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, though the contest has been narrowed to Mr. Genfi and Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah.

The battle for who represents the Suame constituents in Parliament reached its zenith when the incumbent reportedly referred to himself as Lionel Messi and his closest challenger, Boateng-Genfi as Don Botey in football circles; and suggested there was no need for a player with such dexterity (Messi) to make way for a local-based star (Botey) in a grudge match.

Mr. Genfi on Okay Fm’s "Ade Akye Abia" Morning Show felt insulted by the analogy, and wondered what after 20 years in parliament Osei Kyei-Mensah can show for as his contribution in both parliamentary discourse and for the Suame constituents.

But Osei Kyei-Mensah on the same platform insisted parliamentary proceedings requires knowledgeable person who is experienced and endowed in wisdom to help in contributing to the development of the House and the nation at large.

Commenting on the heat surrounding the Suame seat, the Member of Parliament for Okre Constituency, Dan Kweku Botwe indirectly implored the delegates in the Suame Constituency to maintain Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu.

He admitted that there is nothing in the constitution that shows certain candidates should go unopposed but asked the delegates to access the performance of Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah to determine whether it is worth maintaining him or not.

He explained that as Parliamentary democracy requires experience and knowledgeable members, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu is rich in Parliamentary Standing Orders and the knowledgeable in the constitution to face the opponent in Parliament.

To him, to access whether someone should continue to stay in Parliament depends on how well the person knows the law, punctuality in Parliament, discipline and adhere to caucus discussion.

He added that the person in parliament should know the laws of the parliamentary proceedings and also able to advocate for his constituency to be developed as he does not implement developmental projects directly as MP.

“When you narrow it down to our Minority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah, if there is one person in Parliament who the entire House agrees to be very experienced and knowledgeable in our constitution and standing orders, it is Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu,” he confessed.

He added, “he has made name at the Commonwealth and the International Parliamentary Union and he is still working as I talk to you. His experience has brought honor to Ghana and it is important to have someone who brings honor to Ghana…so when you look at all these, we need such a person in Parliament”.

He revealed that it was through the influence and the advocacy power of Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu coupled with his powerful connection which is why President Mahama mentioned his developmental projects in the Suame Constituency last year when he read state of the nation’s address.