Monrovia-President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and Majority Bloc Speaker Richard N. Koon have departed Liberia for Ghana to attend the inauguration of Ghanaian President-elect John Dramani Mahama.
By Willie N. Tokpah/, [email protected]/0777039231
The ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, at the Independence Square in Accra.
President Boakai’s delegation, which includes Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah, and other top officials, left the country, leaving behind a legislative impasse at the House of Representatives that has partially paralyzed normal legislative function.
The leadership standoff between Speaker Koon and embattled Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa has divided the legislature, raising questions about the legitimacy of Koon’s representation in Ghana.
In a controversial statement before departing, Speaker Koon claimed his visit was aimed at strengthening ties with Ghana and learning from its democratic successes to advance legislative reforms in Liberia.
“Ghana has made tremendous strides in democratic governance, and I hope to use this opportunity to seek their support in reforming our legislature,” Koon stated.
However, critics from embattled Speaker Koffa’s Bloc have argued that Koon’s presence at the inauguration is a distraction from the pressing issues at home.
The House of Representatives remains divided over Koon’s controversial election as Speaker, following Koffa’s contested impeachment, which some lawmakers have described as unconstitutional.
At the same time, contrary to rumors that embattled Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa was initially invited to the inauguration but had his invitation rescinded, Koffa confirmed to FrontPageAfrica, that he is in Ghana on a private visit.
