Bagbin’s Actions Fuel Chaos, Undermine Democracy – Afenyo-Markin Slams Speaker
Majority Leader calls Speaker’s decision to adjourn Parliament a setback for Ghana’s democratic processes
- Afenyo-Markin blames the Clerk of Parliament for the failure to print the Order Paper, not NPP members
- Speaker Bagbin's adjournment decision was criticized for causing "chaos" and undermining Ghana’s democracy
- Afenyo-Markin defends the NPP's absence, explaining it was due to procedural issues, not negligence
Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has strongly condemned Speaker Alban Bagbin for his decision to adjourn Parliament indefinitely, accusing him of “supervising chaos” and damaging Ghana’s democratic values.
The adjournment, which occurred on Thursday, November 7, was triggered by the absence of New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs, but Afenyo-Markin insists the cause was not negligence, but rather a procedural issue.
The Majority Leader explained that the Clerk of Parliament had failed to print the necessary Order Paper, which outlines the agenda and issues for parliamentary discussion.
Without this critical document, the NPP MPs could not participate in the session, leading to the adjournment. Afenyo-Markin argued that the absence of NPP members was misinterpreted as irresponsibility, and he stressed that the fault lay with the administrative oversight, not the NPP’s commitment to their duties.
He criticized Speaker Bagbin for contributing to a chaotic environment and misrepresenting the situation, particularly in light of claims from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) minority that the Majority had missed a supposed Business Committee meeting.
Afenyo-Markin clarified that as chair of the Business Committee, he had been clear that no additional meeting was necessary since the agenda was already agreed upon.
He directed that the Order Paper be printed, but the failure to do so disrupted the proceedings, leading to the controversial adjournment.
