NPP Should Stop Talking About Morality, Ibrahim Murtala.

Former Member of Parliament(MP) for Nanton Constituency, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed is cautioning elements within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) against engaging in a campaign of morality.

He warns that that tangent is a slippery slope as no politician can stand the test of morality and therefore ought to be cautious about what they invite for themselves.

Speaking on TV3 New Day via Zoom, the former Deputy Minister said “No politician can stand the morality test. If you want to talk about morality you must be very very careful”.

His caution was in reaction to the reference of Member of Parliament (MP) for Yapei-Kusawgu John Abudulai Jinapor as ‘Papa No’ by Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.

The phrase ‘Papa No’ has gained notoriety on social media after actress Tracey Boakye used it in reference to the father of her daughter sparking wild speculations in the country as to who is was actually referring to.

But the phrase  gained more attention late last week when he Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah in his submission while the house was debating on the 1billion Dollars minerals royalties agreement in explaining himself used the word ‘Papa no’.

He said while responding to a colleague from the Minority’s submission that “Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage our colleagues on the other side, I want to encourage my good friend who just spoke. In my home town, we will say PAPA NO. I want to encourage PAPA NO to take some time and follow the structure of this conversation. I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity”.

But his submission did not sit down well with the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, who asked the Information Minister to withdraw the name he used because it has become a jargon linked with something happening on social media or the Minority will also toe the same line.

“In your rulings, there are many names you will come across from today, some we will dedicate to some and there are many names. Mr. Speaker I know you will not encourage us to do so because I will receive comfort in hausa, Dagbane, Grushie or Nakani to use words that are acceptable. And to come to Parliament and employ those words used on social media we take strong objection to it. If you don’t withdraw, we won’t recognize you today as Minister. From today we won’t recognize you as a Minister and we will not accord you any respect. What do you mean? What do you take us for? Papa No yes accepted but from today we will give you a mail. He was a member just like you and his constituents respect him. You, people, use Papa No on social media, we know what it means. You have lost my respect as Minority Leader from Today. We will march with you,” Hon. Haruna Iddrisu said.