Ghana: Center-Right Opposition Legislators Continue Boycott

Center-right parliamentarian Dominic Nitiwul

From Voice Of America: "[Parliamentary Deputy Minority Leader Dominic] Nitiwul says legislators from the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) will continue to refuse to engage with the presidency until the Supreme Court rules on the party’s petition challenging the final outcome of the December 7 presidential vote. 'To be able to make our case good [and] not to compromise ourselves, we will not engage the government or the executive in any act that would be wiped off if the Supreme Court were to rule against the president,' said Nitiwul."

More: "His comments came after some members of the NPP criticized the legislators from their own party for boycotting parliamentary activities that involves President John Dramani Mahama, including his recent state of the nation address, and boycotting the vetting of his Cabinet nominees. Critics say the opposition lawmakers are shirking their legislative responsibilities by boycotting parliamentary activities. They contend that the NPP’s position is an affront to democracy and the people of Ghana."

The article continues: "'We believe that what we are doing will set a pace and a precedence for the rest of Africa to realize that if you have an election dispute, it is not about picking [up] a gun, but that you can actually take the case to court and win that case,' said Nitiwul. Rules of the Ghanaian parliament enable legislators to be absent from their duties for two weeks, after which sanctions could be applied for their refusal to work. The sanctions include suspension and possible expulsion."