Newly appointed Majority Leader James Agalga has pushed back against doubts about his ability to lead the Majority side of Parliament, saying his long experience in the House gives him the confidence and capacity to perform in his new role.
The Builsa North MP said his eight years as a ranking member, his current position as Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee, and his years of service as a legislator have provided him with extensive leadership experience.
Mr Agalga was responding to comments by former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul, who questioned his leadership credentials.
According to Mr Nitiwul, although Mr Agalga is among Parliament’s longest-serving MPs, he had not previously occupied a major leadership position in the House.
Speaking to Accra-based Citi News on the back of this, Mr Agalga, however, said he was unfazed by such concerns and maintained that his performance would ultimately determine whether he succeeds as Majority Leader.
“I think that the end shall justify the means. Do I look like somebody who can be bullied?” he asked.
“We leave the rest for the people to judge when we settle down to work.”
He further rejected the suggestion that he was inexperienced in parliamentary leadership, citing his previous responsibilities in the House.
“I want to assure you that I am not new to leadership in Parliament. I have been ranking member for eight solid years. I am currently the chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee. And so, to that extent, it cannot be said that I am new to leadership,” he said.
Mr Agalga also expressed confidence that his years in Parliament had earned him the respect of his colleagues, making intimidation unlikely.
“I am a full-term Member of Parliament. And so, I do not think that any colleague of mine in the House can bully me,” he said.
“But like I said, the end shall justify the means,” he added.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
