The Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has said that he cannot force the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to reconvene the House if he chooses otherwise.
However, he noted that he would use constitutional means to address the NPP caucus’ grievances.
“I cannot force him. I will use constitutional means, and if he shuts the doors, it’s up to him,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said.
The Effutu MP’s comment comes after Speaker Bagbin declined his side’s request to recall legislators back to the House.
In a memo dated November 22, 2024, Mr Afenyo-Markin urged the Speaker to reconvene Parliament to consider several outstanding and urgent government businesses.
This, he said, will ensure a smooth transition into the 9th Parliament.
The Speaker further acknowledged the parliamentary calendar’s accommodation of election campaign periods, stressing its significance in Ghana’s democratic process.
With the elections less than two weeks away, he said it was time for MPs to present their manifestoes to the people and to account for and justify how the four-year mandate they had been given had been applied to the people’s benefit.
Mr Afenyo-Markin says for now, the NPP MPs are focused on the election to ensure that their party retains power with a clear majority in parliament.
“For the next week, we will focus on the elections with a determined mind to win and win well for Parliament and our flagbearer, so that if they continue being difficult and acting autocratically, we know that we have a government in waiting to implement these important policies,” he said.
For the past two months, Parliament has been in a state of uncertainty due to disagreements over a decision by the Speaker to declare four seats vacant.
This declaration, citing alleged constitutional violations by certain MPs, has ignited widespread debate.
The Supreme Court subsequently intervened, temporarily suspending Speaker Bagbin’s declaration.
But in a final ruling on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the apex court, by a 5-2 decision, stated that the Speaker’s declaration was unconstitutional.
This series of events has left Parliament in a state of uncertainty, as Mr. Bagbin has not recalled the House despite the court’s verdict.