The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin of promoting disorder in the House by allowing what he described as lawlessness by members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr. Afenyo-Marko made the observation yesterday after NDC MPs for the second time, occupied seats on the Majority side during proceedings in Parliament, claiming to be the majority even though the Supreme Court has prevented them from doing so.
The main opposition party lawmakers had earlier made themselves majority in the legislature, taking the seats on the majority side after Speaker Bagbin purportedly declared three seats on the NPP side and one from the NDC vacant.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament, Mr. Afenyo-Markin who is also the MP for Effutu, accused Speaker Bagbin of “setting the country on fire,” by condoning the lawlessness of the NDC MPs in the House.
Expressing disappointment in what he called a “non-reconciliatory posture,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin said the Majority had hoped for a more statesmanlike approach from Speaker Bagbin.
“The Speaker supervised chaos and clearly the NDC is on a war path; they want confusion and they want lawlessness in this country and all these are being supervised by Mr Speaker,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin emphasised.
NDC’s sabotage
Majority Leader Afenyo-Markin has strongly criticized the NDC MPs for attempting to sabotage the payment of public servants’ salaries amid the ongoing parliamentary impasse.
He said this after Speaker Bagbin for the second time in less than three weeks adjourned the House indefinitely, announcing there was no business for the lawmakers to deliberate on.
Speaker Bagbin attributed this to what he claimed was the failure of the Business Committee to meet and prepare the necessary agenda.
He indicated that without the input of the Business Committee and an agenda, the meeting could not proceed as planned.
Collaboration
Before adjourning the House, Speaker Bagbin underscored the need for collaborative efforts between the Majority and Minority caucuses to ensure a smooth and functional legislative process, particularly in tackling pressing national concerns.
The adjournment reflects ongoing tensions between the two caucuses, which have disrupted parliamentary activities in recent weeks.
With the session adjourned indefinitely, there is now uncertainty about when Parliament will reconvene to address the pending issues, leaving the Legislative agenda for this session unresolved.
The recall of Parliament, initiated by the Majority caucus, was expected to address several critical issues.
However, the Minority MPs, upon entering the chamber, occupied the Majority side, forcing the Majority MPs to remain outside.
No pay for workers
Mr. Afenyo-Markin accused the Minority of deliberately obstructing government business.
He warned that public servants might not receive their salaries if the impasse is not resolved soon.
“To be able to pay workers, there would be a need for approval of the budget in the first quarter of next year. It’s a constitutional requirement, they want to stampede it.
“Don’t be swayed by their lies and propaganda. The chaos they started is how they want to end; we will not allow it. Right now, what the NDC Minority has done basically is one; they don’t want Ghanaians to receive their pay, as public servants. Because they know that after the elections, there will be no budget,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin emphasised.
Conspiracy
Mr. Afenyo-Markin also accused the Minority of conspiring with the Speaker to prevent the passage of key legislation, including the Free Senior High School (SHS) bill.
“Their main target is the Free SHS bill, the pre-announcement of laying in Parliament. And you remember how they fought against it. It’s an opportunity for them, as it were to prevent the Free SHS bill from being passed.
With the indefinite adjournment, it remains uncertain when Parliament will reconvene to address the stalled issues, leaving the legislative agenda for this last meeting in a state of uncertainty.
But Majority Leader Afenyo-Markin indicated his side looked forward to engaging with the Speaker in the coming hours or days.
