“Don’t See Yourself As A King Or Emperor”-Afenyo Markin Tells Speaker | Parliament

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader in Parliament, has called on the Speaker, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Bagbin to submit himself to differing perspectives of parliamentary proceedings rather than parading himself as Lord of Lords.

According to the Member of Parliament for Effutu, rwcent actions demonstrated by the Speaker of Parliament leaves much to be desired of.

Afenyo Markin’s comments come in reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision to give a final verdict of the vacant seat saga that has dominated the airwaves and the public space.

Afenyo Markin urged the Right Honourable Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, to embrace differing perspectives within Parliament and avoid positioning himself as above democratic debate.

Addressing the press after court proceedings on Monday, 11th November, 2024, Afenyo Markin reminded the speaker of Parliament of the importance of ensuring tolerance in Parliamentary leadership.

Afenyo- Markin said, “The Speaker should not see himself as a king or an emperor,” Afenyo-Markin remarked, stressing that Bagbin’s role necessitates a fair approach to the various voices within Parliament.

It is recalled that, on October 17, 2024, parliament was thrown into a state of theatrical chaos following the declaration of four parliamentary seats vacant by Speaker Alban Bagbin. This declaration asserted that, the NDC now has the majority numbers in parliament. This decision is been challenged at the Supreme Court as the Supreme Court preparers to give a ruling on the case on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

However, Afenyo markin opines that, as Speaker who is receptive to differing opinions, it is important to ensure that Parliament operates smoothly and in line with democratic principles and not by the whims and caprices of the speaker and the political party he may be affiliated to.