Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has announced that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will formally submit a memo outlining their concerns regarding recent decisions made by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.
Speaking to the press on Monday, February 3, 2025, Afenyo-Markin expressed dissatisfaction with how the Speaker has managed certain parliamentary matters and emphasized the need for affected members to be heard.
“We are going to ferry our concerns in a memo to his office, and we believe that it would even form the basis for discussions,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin highlighted confusion over what he termed “properly so-called communication” from the Speaker, indicating uncertainty about how to address his communications.
He specifically pointed out that the Speaker’s actions have directly impacted the rights of certain Members of Parliament, saying, “Mr Speaker has taken actions that have affected the rights of our colleagues in Parliament.”
The NPP leader underscored the importance of adhering to parliamentary procedure, explaining that when a matter is presented on the floor, it is expected for the Speaker to rule on it, and members can challenge such rulings based on established rules.
“There’s a provision in the orders where if there is a motion or a matter that comes to the floor, Mr Speaker will rule on the matter, and if there is a ruling, then you would have to rely on the rules to also challenge his ruling,” Afenyo-Markin elaborated.
He reiterated that the NPP seeks a fair process and an opportunity for those affected by the Speaker’s decisions to voice their concerns.
“We believe that the right thing to do is to grant these affected members a hearing,” he concluded, emphasizing the party’s commitment to pursuing a transparent and inclusive process within Parliament.
