The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament has issued a strongly-worded statement demanding an immediate and unqualified apology from the Leader of the NPP Caucus in Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, for what it described as “continuous personal attacks” on the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.
This demand follows recent media engagements by Hon. Afenyo-Markin, which the NDC Caucus argued were marked by “unsavoury and unparliamentary terms.“
In a statement, signed by its Deputy Leader Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the NDC Caucus expressed grave disappointment over Hon. Afenyo-Markin’s actions, accusing him of abusing Article 112 (3) of the Constitution and Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament to recall the House for urgent business on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
“The NDC Majority Caucus is highly disappointed that instead of appearing in the Chamber to transact the so-called urgent business for which MPs had to abandon their campaign activities and honour the recall, the Minority Leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin and the NPP caucus did not only abandon the chamber but Hon. Afenyo-Markin embarked on a vitriolic media campaign against the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle Constituency and Deputy Leader, NDC Caucus in Parliament
The statements made during these interviews, according to the NDC Caucus in Parliament, sought to discredit the office of the Speaker and lower his reputation in the eyes of the public.
“In a series of viral media interviews, Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin could be heard attacking the Rt. Hon. Speaker in very unsavoury and unparliamentary terms unbecoming of a Minority Leader,” the statement noted.
The NDC Caucus emphasized that the Speaker has always been impartial and steadfast in upholding the Constitution and the dignity of Parliament. “The Rt. Hon. Speaker has done no wrong to deserve such unfair and disrespectful attacks from the Leader of the NPP Minority Caucus,” they asserted.
Challenges in Mobilizing NPP MPs
The NDC Caucus in Parliament also pointed out the apparent difficulties faced by Hon. Afenyo-Markin in rallying support from his own ranks.
According to the statement, despite the urgent recall, the leader of the ruling party caucus in Parliament was only able to assemble fewer than 30 Members of Parliament, a turnout deemed inadequate to proceed with the session.
This shortfall, the Deputy Leader of the NDC Caucus in Parliament, alleged, led to Hon. Afenyo-Markin’s inability to lead his caucus into the Chamber, ultimately forcing the Speaker to adjourn proceedings indefinitely.
Financial and Procedural Concerns, a Call for Accountability
Beyond the attacks on the Speaker, the NDC Caucus in Parliament expressed concern over what it termed as “reckless abuse of the parliamentary process” by the NPP Caucus Leader, asserting that the repeated recalls of Parliament by the ruling party caucus have disrupted legislative activities and caused a “huge financial loss to the Ghanaian taxpayer.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, who is also the MP for Ellembelle Constituency, urged the public to hold the “NPP Minority” accountable for misusing constitutional and parliamentary provisions for political manoeuvring.
The statement concluded with a warning to Hon. Afenyo-Markin, urging him to reconsider his approach to parliamentary recalls or face strong resistance.
“We wish to serve notice to the Leader of the NPP Minority Caucus that if he has any intentions to trigger another recall of Parliament pursuant to Order 53 and Article 112(3) of the Constitution, then he should brace himself for resistance. This is because the NDC Majority Caucus will no longer tolerate his reckless abuse of the parliamentary process”.
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle Constituency and Deputy Leader, NDC Caucus in Parliament
In a final advisory, the NDC Caucus in Parliament called on the NPP Caucus in Parliament Leader, Hon. Afenyo Maarkin to set aside his “ego” and issue an apology to the Speaker, whom they lauded for over three decades of distinguished service to Ghana’s legislative process.
The statement, signed by Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, serves as a clear message of unity and resilience by the NDC Caucus in Parliament in defense of the parliamentary institution and its leadership.
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