Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has called on Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Bagbin to demonstrate stronger leadership amid the ongoing stand-off over majority seating arrangements in Parliament.
Expressing disappointment over the current deadlock, Mr Kufuor described the situation as “embarrassing” and cautioned that it could tarnish Mr Bagbin’s otherwise distinguished legacy if not resolved swiftly.
The parliamentary impasse began after the Supreme Court overturned Mr Bagbin’s earlier decision that declared four parliamentary seats vacant. The ruling led to a dispute over the balance of power in the House. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs, backing Mr Bagbin’s ruling, now claim the majority in Parliament, while members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) challenge this stance.
Despite the Supreme Court’s intervention, NDC MPs have asserted their newfound majority by occupying seats traditionally held by the NPP. In response, NPP MPs, led by their leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, have boycotted the chamber, fearing potential physical confrontations, which has effectively brought parliamentary proceedings to a halt.
In an interview, Mr Kufuor stressed the critical role of the Speaker in ensuring stability and decorum in the House.
He urged Bagbin to take decisive action to restore order, warning that the ongoing impasse could damage his reputation and diminish his contributions to Ghana’s democratic governance.
“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 in an interview with Asempa FM.