Afenyo-Markin Blasts Bagbin for Unilateral Suspension of Parliamentary Work
Afenyo-Markin criticizes Speaker for acting at his own discretion and disregarding constitutional duties
- Afenyo-Markin criticizes Speaker Bagbin for rejecting an emergency recall of Parliament
- Majority Leader accuses Bagbin of treating Parliament like personal property
- Frustration over delayed parliamentary sessions
The Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has strongly criticized Speaker Alban Bagbin for his refusal to allow an emergency recall of Parliament.
In a letter dated November 22, 2024, Afenyo-Markin, alongside his caucus, suggested the dates of November 28 and 29 for reconvening the House to discuss urgent matters.
However, Speaker Bagbin dismissed the request, insisting that parliamentary activities would remain suspended until after the December 7 general elections.
Afenyo-Markin expressed his dissatisfaction, accusing the Speaker of treating Parliament as his personal domain. He pointed out that the Speaker has repeatedly acted at his own discretion, opening Parliament only when it suits him, even when important issues could be addressed.
He also referenced a recent court ruling in favor of the NPP MPs, which Bagbin ignored, preventing Parliament from resuming its work despite the legal victory.
“The Speaker has created an impasse by shutting down Parliament. As law-abiding citizens, we took the matter to court and won. I expected the Speaker, as a Democrat, to immediately reopen Parliament to allow government business to proceed, but he refused,” Afenyo-Markin remarked in his response.
