News:
February 3, 2025
The Minority in Ghana’s Parliament are unhappy that the Speaker Rt. Hon Alban Kingsford Bagbin did not give the four suspended Members of Parliament; Rockson Nelson Etse Kwame Dafeamakpor, Majority Chief Whip; Frank Annor-Dompreh, Minority Chief Whip; Alhassan Sulemana Tampuuli, MP and Jerry Ahmed Shaib , Second Deputy Minority Whip the right to fair hearing.
At a press conference addressed by the Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin on Monday, February 3, 2025, he pointed out that they have had the opportunity to listen to every word and phrase that the Speaker used and have come to the conclusion that he grossly exercised his jurisdiction and his mandate, and in the process arrogated powers that he does not have unto himself.
For emphasis, order 129 and 130 reading them together with Orders 30 to 35 even when there are contempt proceedings which will trigger a breach of privilege and by extension for some action to be taken a committee must be set to look into it, he stated.
On this occasion the Speaker was dealing with disorderly conduct which took place at the Committee level where the Chairman of the Committee had the mandate to deal with the matters; but says on his own that he has suspended these members without hearing them.
According to him, as the Chairman of the Committee did not communicate anything to the Speaker neither did the Speaker invite any of them in leadership for any discussion in any event, “when there is punishment, our rules are clear it can be for four days or eight days according to order 130”.
“We are aware that the NDC Majority itself has disregarded the Speaker’s orders. On that day, one of his orders was that the selection committee must meet immediately and reconstitute the Appointment Committee but the NDC has decided to disregard these orders and proceeded with the vetting. Despite the fact that we disagree with the Speaker, out of respect to him, we must still engage him and we will engage him.”
Hon Afenyo-Markin further pointed out that they started this engagement over the weekend; the Majority Leader and his himself had extensive discussions and he (Majority Leader) elected to reach out to Mr. Speaker and get back to him. He tried to reach out to Mr. Speaker but he was not successful.
“We believe today is Monday, Speaker will be in the office for us to see him and take the discussion further. As a responsible caucus we are going to take our concerns in a memo to his office and we believe that will form the basis for discussion”.
Again, we do not know how to treat Mr. Speaker’s communication; whether is a ruling or communication so-called because there is a provision in the order if a motion of matters come to the floor Mr. Speaker will rule on the matter and if we are not okay with it, we can challenge by filing a motion. That is what the rules say.
He noted that this was the same challenge in the ‘vacant seat’ saga when then Minority Leader Ato Forson said he was raising issue of national interest and when the matter went to the Supreme Court the Speaker said he only delivered a communication.
“So we are careful on how to approach him to know exactly what he meant; he has taken actions that have affected the rights of our colleagues.”
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com