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General News of Wednesday, 5 June 2002

Source: GNA

We feel betrayed by NPP - PNC MPs

Mr David Apasere, PNC-Bolgatanga,on Tuesday said the majority New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Parliament has betrayed the trust of the PNC caucus by avoiding them in the selection of members for the ECOWAS Parliament. He said he would consult with his party's hierarchy for direction on the People's National Congress' relationship with the NPP in Parliament.

In an interview with the GNA, he said: "We were not consulted, we were ignored. Even when we heard of it and protested, nobody listened to us. "I thought we had a special relationship with the NPP. I thought that after giving them our all, we would be involved in everything."

Mr Apasera said in spite of the PNC's three seats in the house, it has helped the majority party through difficult moments when they needed votes to carry crucial motions. Papa Owusu Ankoma, Majority Leader, said the decision taken on the ECOWAS Parliament members was a compromise reached between the NPP and NDC. "I thought it had the blessing of the whole house. Nothing was done in secret. We have nothing to hide."

The other two members of the PNC caucus hold ministerial appointments. Earlier, Mr Apasera's protest on the floor of the house was met with catcalls from the Minority NDC who had condemned the NPP/PNC alliance. Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, Speaker, said sometimes it is practically impossible to give representations to small minority parties on strict count of numbers.