The Majority Leader of Ghana’s NPP caucus, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has sharply criticized Speaker Alban Bagbin’s handling of a recent dispute in Parliament, accusing him of undermining democratic principles.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, November 7, Afenyo-Markin expressed his disappointment after Bagbin adjourned the session indefinitely for the second time, following an ongoing dispute over seating arrangements. The controversy arose as NDC MPs continued to occupy the Majority side of the House, despite a Supreme Court ruling that required the NDC to remain on the Minority side.

Afenyo-Markin argued that the Speaker should have enforced the court’s ruling by directing NDC MPs to vacate the Majority seats, as this action would uphold parliamentary order.

“One expected Mr Speaker to instruct the NDC MPs to follow proper protocol,” Afenyo-Markin stated. He noted that recent discussions with the Speaker, as well as with the Council of State, led him to believe that such a directive would be issued.

Instead, Afenyo-Markin accused Bagbin of “supervising chaos,” alleging that his actions have brought disorder to the House and damaged the reputation of Ghana’s democracy.

“What the Speaker did today amounts to creating confusion and tarnishing the integrity of our democratic process,” Afenyo-Markin said. He added, “We, the NPP Majority Caucus, urge the Speaker to act as a statesman and prioritize parliamentary order.”

The dispute adds a new layer of tension between the NPP and NDC in a Parliament already split down the middle.

Source:TheDotNews