Accept your new role without delay – NDC MPs to Afenyo-Markin
The First Deputy Minority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, has urged Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to embrace his new position as Minority Leader and return to Parliament for government business to proceed.
This historical overturn follows the declaration of four parliamentary seats vacant by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, on Thursday, October 17, 2024, in accordance with Article 97(1)(g) of the Constitution.
The affected MPs—Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kojo Asante (Suhum), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central) are contesting the polls as independent candidates while Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), an independent in the current parliament, returns to the NPP.
As a result, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) now holds 136 seats, while the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) representatives have declined to 135, making the NDC the majority party in Parliament.
READ ALSO: NPP boycotts parliament after losing majority to NDC
In an interview, Ibrahim emphasized the urgent need for parliamentary work to continue, particularly with the upcoming elections.
He also stressed that the current session of the Eighth Parliament is limited in time, making it essential for all members to participate actively in legislative responsibilities.
The First Deputy Minority Whip further stated that Mr Afenyo-Markin and his members must return to the chamber to fulfil their responsibilities, asserting that government business cannot be neglected, regardless of the political circumstances.
He underscored the importance of cooperation and commitment to governance, particularly in the face of the ongoing challenges facing the country.
“We have 50 days to elections and within these 50 days, there are major tasks ahead of us. If the new Minority Leader, Afenyo-Markin, is not aware, he has to come, and the new finance minister has to prepare a vote on account”.
“So he (Afenyo-Markin) has no time to say that he is waiting for the Supreme Court to come with an interpretation…Ghana will not wait for them. We have 50 days to the election.
“We have three weeks to work in Parliament. Within these three weeks, he should accept his status as a minority leader. He is a minority leader and leader of government business,” he added in an interview monitored by The Ghana Report on Channel One TV.
“It is so clear. We, as the majority, are boycotting Parliament until the matter is determined by the Supreme Court. The speaker has no right to interpret the Constitution. It was in favour of the NDC. If the court makes any judgement, we will respect that,” he noted while addressing journalists after the verdict by the Speaker of Parliament.