Speaker Alban Bagbin has been charged by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus in Parliament with escalating political turmoil in Ghana.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, November 7, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said he was deeply disappointed in Bagbin’s recent actions, especially his press conference, which he called “non-reconciliatory” and detrimental to the nation’s democratic processes.
Afenyo-Markin’s criticism follows Bagbin’s claims on Wednesday, where he accused both the President and the Judiciary of colluding to undermine the authority of Parliament.
This followed Bagbin’s controversial declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant, a decision that was later stayed by the Supreme Court.
These developments have sparked significant tensions, with the NPP accusing the Speaker of exacerbating political divisions in the country instead of resecting of respecting the Supreme Court ruling and directing the NDC MPs to occupy their designated seats in the Chamber.
“The Speaker is setting the country on fire,” Afenyo-Markin declared, stressing the need for Bagbin to adopt a more statesmanlike approach to resolve the crisis. He urged the Speaker to recognize the gravity of his role and the responsibility it entails.
“We want Mr. Speaker to know that although we were not happy on the day he was elected, some of our colleagues perhaps had seen something good in him,” Afenyo-Markin continued.
His comments reflect rising frustration among the majority caucus, which believes Bagbin’s actions are harming democracy and failing to build national unity.
“Mr. Speaker is hurting democracy,” Afenyo-Markin argued, encouraging him to reconsider his position and choose reconciliation above rising hostilities. The NPP leader’s remarks illustrate the growing schism between the Speaker and the majority caucus as political unrest in the country worsens.
