In a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday morning, National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs took control of seats traditionally held by their New Patriotic Party (NPP) counterparts, prompting a walkout by the NPP members.
Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the MP for Effutu and a prominent figure in the NPP, led his colleagues in vacating the House, stating they would retreat to their offices to await guidance from Speaker Alban Bagbin.
He emphasised their commitment to maintaining peace in Ghana, asserting, “NPP is for peace, NPP is for peace, NPP is for the peace of Ghana.” He urged the media to advocate for adherence to the rule of law and respect for parliamentary procedures.
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Afenyo-Markin acknowledged Speaker Bagbin’s extensive experience in politics and law since 1992, expressing confidence that he would navigate the current challenges appropriately, even if there were disagreements with the Supreme Court.
He stated that the NPP did not intend to disrespect the Speaker’s authority and insisted that any grievances should be addressed through legal channels rather than through chaos in Parliament.
This measured approach aimed to preserve Ghana’s reputation as a peaceful nation. As Afenyo-Markin led his fellow MPs out of the House while singing the NPP party anthem, the atmosphere was charged with tension. NDC MPs responded with jeers, chanting “Away, away, away,” reflecting the deep divisions between the two parties.
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The incident underscores the ongoing political rivalry and the challenges facing the Speaker in maintaining order and decorum in the House amid escalating tensions between the NPP and NDC factions.