Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin’s decision to adjourn Parliament indefinitely has sparked significant criticism from Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who characterized the move as “supervising chaos” and detrimental to Ghana’s democratic integrity.
The adjournment, which took place on November 7, was prompted by the absence of New Patriotic Party (NPP) members, leaving the House without enough members to conduct business.
During the session, Speaker Bagbin announced that he had received a communication from the Supreme Court instructing him to stay his previous ruling that declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
However, he did not elaborate on the details of this communication, leading to uncertainty among MPs and observers regarding its implications.
Despite having the numbers to conduct business, Mr. Bagbin stated that the House lacked the necessary quorum due to NPP MPs vacating the Chamber earlier in response to ongoing disputes over Majority designation.
“Hon. members, we don’t have at least half of all the Members of Parliament present. Consequently, in view of the current circumstances, the fact that there’s a question on the composition and constitution of Parliament, and having regard to the public interest and the exigencies of the affairs in Parliament, I will proceed, in accordance with Standing Order 59, to adjourn the House indefinitely, that is, sine die,” he explained before adjourning the House indefinitely.
The vacant seats in question include Agona West (Cynthia Morrison), Fomena (Andrew Asiamah), Suhum (Kwadjo Asante), and Amenfi Central (Peter Kwakye Ackah).
The Supreme Court’s recent ruling has temporarily suspended Bagbin’s earlier decision, complicating an already tense political atmosphere.
Hon. Afenyo-Markin expressed his dissatisfaction with the adjournment, warning that local public servants’ salaries could be at risk due to the minority’s actions.
He emphasized that there is no constitutional crisis in Ghana, countering Bagbin’s assertion regarding the composition of Parliament.
