Former President of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor, has urged Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Bagbin to demonstrate strong leadership during the ongoing standoff in Parliament concerning majority seating arrangements. Kufuor expressed his disappointment over the situation, calling it an “embarrassing” impasse that could tarnish Bagbin’s otherwise distinguished career.
The stand-off stems from the Supreme Court’s recent decision to stay Bagbin’s earlier ruling declaring four parliamentary seats vacant. Members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) disagree with Bagbin in his ruling, while those of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are holding onto Bagbin’s ruling.
Bagbin’s ruling, in effect, tilted the balance of power in the house in favour of the NDC, who now claim the majority of the parliamentarians. Despite the ruling by the Supreme Court, NDC MPs continue to assert their ‘new-found majority’ status in the chamber, occupying seats previously reserved for the NPP majority. In response, Members of Parliament from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), led by their leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, have refrained from entering the chamber, hoping to avoid potential physical confrontations.
Their absence has effectively stalled proceedings and underscored the tense atmosphere surrounding the majority-minority debate. Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM, Kufuor emphasised the importance of Speaker Bagbin’s role in resolving the impasse and called on him to prioritise stability and decorum in the House.
He warned that if left unchecked, the current situation could damage Bagbin’s reputation and undermine his contributions to Ghana’s political landscape. “I will plead with the Speaker of Parliament to step up and show leadership. What’s happening in parliament is embarrassing. It can destroy his illustrious record,” he said.
By: Ernest K. Arhinful
