Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has been accused of overseeing “lawlessness” in the House amid deepening tensions between the two main political parties. The accusation came from the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who blamed Mr. Bagbin for allegedly allowing members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to escalate disruptions in Parliament.

In a press conference on Thursday, November 7, Mr. Afenyo-Markin expressed frustration over recent incidents, including an episode where NDC Members of Parliament (MPs) took seats typically occupied by members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) during proceedings. He said that the speaker’s actions and “non-reconciliatory posture” in recent sessions had emboldened opposition MPs to create disorder.

“The Speaker is setting the country on fire,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin said, accusing Mr. Bagbin of encouraging “chaos” and acting in a way that could harm Ghana’s democratic processes. “The NDC is on a war path; they want confusion and lawlessness in this country, and all this is being supervised by Mr. Speaker.”

He added that, although the NPP was disappointed with Mr. Bagbin’s election as Speaker, they had cooperated in the interest of national unity and called on him to demonstrate a similar commitment to statesmanship.

The dispute comes as Mr. Bagbin adjourned Parliament indefinitely for the second time on Thursday, November 7, following a brief resumption after an earlier adjournment on October 22. The Speaker adjourned the session as the NPP caucus failed to appear in the Chamber, underscoring a growing partisan standoff.

These tensions highlight the ongoing divide between the two major parties, and the situation underscores the complex dynamics shaping Ghana’s legislative proceedings ahead of the 2024 elections.

Source:TheDotNews