Alexander Afenyo-Markin
Parliament of Ghana on Thursday was rocked by controversy after Speaker Alban Bagbin declared four seats vacant, sparking accusations of bias from the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
Background
The affected seats include three occupied by members of the incumbent majority party and one by the opposition NDC.
This development follows a precedent set in 2020 when the NPP notified the Speaker that Hon. Andrews Asiamah Amoako was no longer a party member.
Afenyo-Markin’s Criticism
Afenyo-Markin slammed the Speaker’s decision, alleging it was designed to favor the NDC.
“It’s clear the Speaker did NDC’s bidding to give them an advantage,” he stated. The Majority Leader expressed dissatisfaction with the Speaker’s interpretation of the Constitution, arguing that the Speaker overstepped his authority.
Walkout and Boycott
In protest, the majority staged a walkout and announced a boycott of parliamentary proceedings until the matter was resolved by the Supreme Court.
The Effutu MP, Afenyo-Markin reaffirmed the party’s commitment to challenging the Speaker’s ruling in court.
Implications
This development has significant implications for Ghana’s political landscape, shifting the balance of power in Parliament.
The NDC has welcomed the Speaker’s decision, while the NPP has expressed concerns.
Previous Controversies
This is not the first time Speaker Bagbin has faced criticism.
In 2020, he declared Andrew Asiamah’s seat vacant, sparking controversy.
BY Daniel Bampoe
