‘I never wished for his job’ – Ato Forson on Minority leader appointment
Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has revealed that he was notified of his new position the night before the public announcement.
According to him, much like the rest of the NDC parliamentary caucus he had no say whatsoever concerning the decision.
Speaking in his first interview following the announcement on JoyNews’ PM Express, he said he was surprised by the decision after he was informed in a short face-to-face meeting by the party’s national leadership.
“I was told the night before.I mean it’s a decision that the party had made so they were informing me not for me to make a choice as to whether I’m going to accept it or not to accept it. But I took it like a call to duty.
“I was. In fact it shook me, it took me by surprise. But what I told you earlier that I adapt so easily and that’s my biggest strength, it doesn’t take me couple of minutes to adapt so I sat back and said ‘hey…’”
Speaking concerning his relationship with the erstwhile Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, the Ajumako-Enyam-Essiam MP stated that working with him had allowed him to excel.
“Let me put it this way, if there is any person in this house who has worked so hard for Honourable Haruna and worked to him, I don’t think there will be two people more than me. My loyalty to him is unquestionable. I’ve loved him; in fact I’m a product of his leadership because he gave me room to work and to excel. It’s not every leader who will give his ranking the opportunity to excel at that magnitude.
“And I work to him; I go to him every morning, sit him down and brief him on a daily basis. First thing I do, I get to parliament before nine. Walk straight to his office, he’ll be there, we’ll have our small meeting, brief him for the day and then we disperse then he goes to the floor. So we have that cohesion,” he said.
According to Dr. Ato Forson, he is honored to have been the one chosen to fill the “very big shoe” of his predecessor, and while he has “never wished for his job” he takes the appointment as an opportunity to “also step in and to lead the party.”
“So when I was told, my first concern was is he aware of it and how will he feel? But Honourable Haruna knows that I’ve never wished for his job, but at a point in time, one person will have to stand up and do something for the caucus so I happen to be the one to do it and I think it’s an honour for me to step in a very big shoe of my predecessor the Honourable Haruna Iddrisu.
“It’s a big decision. The party took a big decision; they believe it’s the right decision. They think where we’ve gotten to they need a new general to take us to that kind of war, that’s how I interpreted it. Honournable Haruna has done his bit and done it very well, his successes are out there for everybody to see. And clearly, time has come for a new general to step in the fire. I recognize that and honestly, I take it as an opportunity to also step in and to lead the party,” he said.
He said immediately after being informed, “I called him [Haruna Iddrisu] immediately. Immediately I was told, as soon as I left the place I placed a phone call.”
Source: Ghana News
