Korle Klottey MP, Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, has joined scores of NDC MPs condemning the ‘betrayal’ of some MPs within the Minority Caucus who voted in favour of the approval of six ministerial appointees of the Akufo-Addo led administration, despite the party’s decision not to support their approval.

A unanimous ‘No’ vote by the NDC MPs would have rendered the appointments void since they had more numbers than their opponents on the day the votes were cast, however, after the secret ballot, all six appointees had garnered Majority votes to pass them from the position, indicating that some MPs broke rank and voted a ‘Yes’ against the party’s directive.

This move by the ‘anonymous’ MPs has been described by the party as a grave act of betrayal.

In a Facebook post, the Korle Klottey legislator, who is yet to come to terms with the results of the secret ballot, recounted how she painstakingly sent her phone to the voting booth to record her vote as evidence to protect her integrity, although she knew very well the implications of being caught. The effort , however, came to naught since some MPs decided to pursue their personal interests.

“I’m still reeling from the outcome of the secret ballot in the House on Friday. I’ve sat with the sad realisation that the unfortunate side of being part of a collective is the collective shame that comes with the actions of a few unknown faces whose actions affect everyone.

“I knew it was risky taking my phone into the booth, because there was a chance that the Speaker might chastise me openly. I told my colleagues sitting in my section what I was going to do and why. I got to the voting booth and nervously lifted my phone to record my hand ticking the ‘No’ column, feeling so annoyed that I was having to subject myself to this! When I got to my seat, I checked the video to make sure it had captured my vote, and then informed my colleagues that it had worked! I then suggested that they do the same, for their own protection.

“I must admit that I was still shocked by the results. I was crestfallen! But even the knowledge of my evidence of how I voted, did not bring me the relief I had hoped for. People were looking up to us, and we had let the side down,” she added.

She noted that her father would have challenged the MPs from the Minority Caucus to swear an oath or subject themselves to a lie detector test to prove themselves of no betrayal.

“My father continued to advise and chastise the party in the face of sometimes outright abuse from his own, but he remained true to his convictions. I still remember vividly when from his hospital bed, he asked me how the people in my constituency were doing in the lead up to the 2020 General Elections. Even when he was a few days away from his own death, he was still worried about Ghana! On Friday night, I felt this deep pain that maybe it was perhaps better that he was not alive to witness what had happened to the NDC. But then again, I thought perhaps had he been alive he would probably have challenged all of us to go and swear on Antoa or dared us to take a lie-detector test!

“Alas! Our Founder is no longer with us, but we have come too far to destroy our own legacy! We must course correct, immediately! We need to return to the values and principles on which this party was built including honesty, accountability, integrity, discipline and commitment to our nation, Ghana!!” she added.

She further questioned why those who were opposed to the party’s decision did not speak up before the vote.

“The NDC took a decision to vote against the President’s nominations on principle. We needed President Akufo-Addo to avert his mind to the bloated size of his government/cabinet to show the commitment of the Executive to reduce its expenditure as the government struggles with unsustainable debt.

“If you disagree with a position the party and leadership have taken, have the courage of your convictions and speak up! It is cowardice and treachery to hide within the collective to pursue your individual parochial agenda!!! For the first time, I was forced to keep evidence of my votes to protect my integrity and my name!” she lamented.