‘Speaker should not think that he is a king or an emperor’ – Afenyo-Markin tells Bagbin

The Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has called on Speaker Alban Bagbin to adopt a more inclusive approach in Parliament, urging him to respect and engage with differing perspectives rather than assuming a position above democratic discourse.

Speaking to the media on Monday, November 11, outside the Supreme Court, Afenyo-Markin’s remarks followed a hearing on the status of vacant parliamentary seats, in which the Supreme Court reviewed submissions from both the plaintiffs and the Attorney-General.

Highlighting the importance of tolerance in parliamentary leadership, Afenyo-Markin expressed his belief that the Speaker should remain open to diverse viewpoints rather than dismissing them outright.

“Speaker should not think that he is a king or an emperor…What he is doing, in all humility is wrong,” he stated, stressing that Bagbin’s role requires impartiality and a commitment to democratic values within Parliament.

His comments come amid heightened tensions between the NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the legislature.

Afenyo-Markin suggested that a Speaker willing to embrace differing views is essential for Parliament to function effectively and democratically.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will rule on the true meaning of Article 97 (g) and (h) on November 12.

Source:onuaonline.com