As expected of every minority in a democratic dispensation, they are to provide credible opposition to the ruling government by scrutinizing serious issues instead of engaging in trivialities that serve their parochial interest.

As expected of every minority in a democratic dispensation, they are to provide credible opposition to the ruling government by scrutinizing serious issues instead of engaging in trivialities that serve their parochial interest.

But that is not the case of the opposition National Democratic Congress who, after eight months in office, have failed to demonstrate to Ghanaians that they are ready to tackle issues that touch on their lives and survival.

Yesterday’s press conference by the NDC Minority, led by Haruna Iddrissu, the Minority leader, in respect to the Finance Minister’s approval of a credit facility for MacDan Shipping Company, to enable the company execute a supply contract, clearly shows how the NDC is more concerned with trivialities other than addressing serious issues of national concern.

We thought the NDC Minority could have done a bit of background checks to realize that McDan, who is a customer of ADB, just like any other customer, could be entitled to a credit facility to enable it run its business.

Haruna Iddrissu and his colleagues in Parliament should have known that with government as the largest shareholder of ADB, it was normal for a representative of the shareholder, in this case the Finance Minister, to grant a credit facility in the absence of the Board of Directors.

We think it would not be out of place to help the NDC with ownership structure of ADB: Government of Ghana, 32.30%; Bank of Ghana, 9.50%; SIC Financial Services, 10%; Belstar Capital Limited, 24%; Starmount Development Company Limited, 11%; EDC Investment Limited, 6%; and Retail Investors and ADB, 7.20%.

Interestingly, the Minority found it more prudent to engage in this triviality, while still dodging the more pressing issue of the obvious $72million scam at SSNIT, with the claim that they were seeking “expert advice” on the issue.

We wonder why Haruna Iddrissu and his colleagues did not find it sensible to also seek the so-called expert advice before going to town on this simple, normal business transaction between bank and its client.

The NDC ought to stop taking Ghanaians for granted. They should not jump on the bandwagon and think their series of press conferences which fail to tackle the real issues affecting the people will make them look serious in the eyes of Ghanaians.

Ghanaians are watching how best the NDC can offer credible opposition to the Akufo-Addo government and how well they dissect issues of national interest. This must be the focus of Haruna Iddrisu and his colleagues.