Speaker of Parliament Alban S.K. Bagbin and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have come under fire from Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin for their alleged acts that are causing uncertainty and disorder in the country.
His comments came after the Majority caucus boycotted again, causing the House to be abruptly adjourned.
Following the NDC side’s occupation of the Speaker’s right-hand side, which is normally designated for the Majority caucus, the members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) declined to sit in the chamber.
The Speaker’s decision to remove four Members of Parliament who defected from their parties to run as independent candidates in the 2024 elections, according to the NDC, has made it the majority party in Parliament.
After the adjournment, a clearly irritated Afenyo-Markin spoke to the media and attacked Speaker Bagbin for allegedly “supervising chaos,” confusion, and anarchy, as well as damaging Ghana’s democratic reputation.
He said that by ordering the NDC caucus to return and take the seat designated for the Minority, the Speaker would make amends for the wrongs he had created.
“What Mr. Speaker did today amounts to supervising chaos and bringing the image of democracy into disrepute,” he stated.
It’s depressing. He added, “It is very sad,” and urged the media to criticize the Speaker and the NDC for their “disruptive behavior that aims to destabilize the legislative process.”
Afenyo-Markin cited the fact that his caucus was not present at a meeting of the Business Committee, claiming that the NDC lacked the authority to hold such a meeting because no new committee had been established.
“I chair the Business Committee of Parliament, and when the Clerk to Parliament asked for the Business Committee, I was explicit that there was no need for another committee meeting on this matter,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin brought up recent conflicts over the Speaker’s decisions regarding the four MPs, which the NPP Majority disapproved of and then appealed to the Supreme Court.
He stated that, although being fully aware that the case was still pending, Speaker Bagbin promised him in front of the Second Deputy Speaker that he would wait for the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Speaker Alban Bagbin is allegedly conspiring with the NDC Minority to thwart crucial government business, like as the Free Senior High School (SHS) bill, according to the Majority Leader.
He brushed off criticism of the Free SHS program from the opposition, emphasizing that despite its difficulties, it has helped millions of Ghanaians.
He also commended the work of prior education ministers, calling them “two doctors” who were committed to changing the ministry.
Afenyo-Markin charged that the NDC was planning a “warpath” agenda and cautioned that this could jeopardize Ghana’s stability if it is not stopped.
Source: newsthemegh.com