Newly appointed Majority Leader James Agalga has rejected suggestions that he could be intimidated in his new position, saying his extensive experience in Parliament has prepared him to lead the House effectively.
The Builsa North Member of Parliament said his years of service, including his time as a ranking member and chairman of a key parliamentary committee, have given him the experience and confidence required to perform his new role.
His comments follow remarks by former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul, who questioned Mr Agalga’s leadership credentials during an interview on Accra-based Citi News.
Mr Nitiwul argued that although Mr Agalga is one of Parliament’s longest-serving members, he had not previously occupied a major leadership position in the House.
Responding to the criticism, Mr Agalga said his performance in the role would ultimately determine whether he succeeds.
“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.”
Mr Agalga also dismissed claims that he is inexperienced in parliamentary leadership, pointing to the various positions he has held during his time 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.
The Majority Leader further stressed that his long-standing presence in Parliament had earned him the respect of his colleagues and made him unlikely to be intimidated.
“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.
Mr Agalga maintained that the true test of his leadership would come from his performance and contribution to the work of Parliament.
“But like I said, the end shall justify the means,” he added.
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