Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jr. expressed disagreement with Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa's thoughts on the functioning of the minority caucus in Parliament. Ablakwa represents North Tongu.

On Saturday, December 24, 2022, Pan African TV had a town hall meeting where the subject of the performance of NDC MPs in 2022 was discussed.

On the more than three-hour show, a panel featuring Kwesi Pratt and Ablakwa discussed important concerns in the nation.

Okudzeto Ablakwa asked about the performance of the Haruna Iddrisu Caucus attempted to clarify what he contends was an erroneous impression by the general public that the Minority MPs have been in bed with government and not done enough to protect the interest of Ghanaians.

Ablakwa posited that the narrative that the NDC MPs are not doing enough is an orchestration of the New Patriotic Party to make the NDC MPs share blame for the mishaps of the Akufo-Addo administration.

Whiles admitting there have been times when he has had reasons to be unhappy with the caucus, Ablakwa said the NDC MPs have generally been good.

He argued that with the NPP having a slim advantage in terms of the numbers, it will always be difficult for the NDC MPs to have their way as it will always come down to the numbers.

But Kwesi Pratt countered Ablakwa's views and the attempt to hold brief for his colleagues.

Pratt protested that despite being disadvantaged by the numbers, the minority caucus has not done enough to champion the interest of Ghanaians.

Below is the brief banter

Pratt: When people say that NDC MPs can do better, it is true. They can do better than they are doing now. We are told that the first part of the budget is principles and policy, who said that you cannot shoot down principles and policies.

Okudzeto: You know better than that. We don’t have the numbers .

Pratt: You can always call for balloting after the voice vote but you didn’t.

Okudzeto: Because they were more than us. They accounted for their members.

Pratt: People who criticize NDC MPs may not necessarily vote for NPP but they want the good of the country and the NPP. I have been watching Parliament and in all honesty, If I’m to mention my top five MPs, I would mention Okudzeto Ablakwa. He’s done so well and his record is clear but Sammy becareful not to defend the indefensible, it will take away from your credit. Not all your colleagues are like you. You cannot criticize them in public but don’t defend them.

Okudzeto: I still think that it will be unfair to blame us especially when we do not have the numbers.