Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has slammed Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to suspend three members of his caucus, describing the move as unfair and politically motivated.
The suspension order issued by the Speaker last Friday following chaotic scenes at the sittings of the Appointments Committee has sparked outrage among Minority MPs, who argue that it undermines parliamentary democracy and the rights of elected representatives.
Speaking to the media on Monday, February 3, 2025, in Parliament, Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin condemned the decision, insisting it was a calculated attempt to bully and weaken the opposition’s influence in Parliament.
“This suspension is a clear abuse of power and an attempt to silence the Minority,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin demands reversal of suspension
The Minority leader demanded an immediate reversal of the suspension, warning that failure to do so would set a precedent for Speaker Bagbin to wield unchecked authority over Parliament.
“We categorically reject the suspension of these three MPs and demand an immediate reversal of this politically charged decision,” he emphasized.
The Minority leader argued that Parliament is meant to be a space for robust debate, even if heated, and that lawmakers have to ensure due process is followed.
“The Speaker’s role is to facilitate dialogue and order, not to punish lawmakers for standing their ground in the face of procedural unfairness.”
“If this unjustifiable action is not addressed, it will set a precedent where the Speaker becomes an unchecked authority, weaponizing disciplinary measures against those who do not align with his preferred political narratives,” the Minority asserted.
Afenyo-Markin stressed that Ghana’s Parliament should remain “a bastion of democracy, not an institution of oppression.”
“Democracy thrives on fairness and justice, and we will not sit idle while our parliamentary democracy is undermined by selective application of rules,” he warned.
The Minority Caucus also accused Speaker Bagbin of being inconsistent in handling parliamentary disruptions, recalling previous incidents where no such punitive measures were taken.
They cited the chaotic Speakership election in 2021, the brawl over the Electronic Levy (E-Levy), and the July 30, 2024, public hearing on the nomination of two Supreme Court judges—all instances where tensions flared, but no MPs were suspended.
“The Speaker adopted a reconciliatory approach in all these cases. Why then does he choose, at this moment, to impose harsh and selective punishment? This inconsistency undermines his credibility as a neutral arbiter and exposes a worrying bias,” the Minority leader stated.
Suspension
The Speaker of Parliament suspended the four members for their involvement in the disruptive events that occurred at the Appointments Committee on Thursday night.
The suspended members included Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, MP for South Dayi (NDC Chief Whip); Frank Annoh-Dompreh, MP for Nsawam Adoagyiri (NPP Chief Whip); Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, NPP MP for Gushegu and Jerry Ahmed Shuaib, MP for Weija Gbawe and NPP 2nd Deputy of the Minority Caucus
The Speaker stressed that these suspensions were only the beginning and that further sanctions could follow after an official investigation by a committee of the House.
The suspension would last two weeks without pay.
Apology
The Speaker also offered a heartfelt apology to the people of Ghana for the national embarrassment caused by the events and expressed his deep disappointment in the behaviour of the leaders and MPs involved.
He vowed to take every necessary step to restore the dignity of the institution.
He stated, “I am deeply disappointed by the fundamental leaders in this shameful attitude. Their actions have brought disrepute to Parliament and undermined the democratic values we have sworn to uphold.”
By Osumanu Al-Hassan/thenewsbulletin24.com
