Alban Bagbin
The Speaker of the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic is a very interesting character.
In our considered opinion, Speaker Bagbin places self-interest or parochial gain above all national considerations.
Since he backed the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to declare the seats of four Members of Parliament (MPs) vacant, his actions and utterances favour a constitutional crisis to cause disaffection for the government.
The sitting Speaker is the “master of his own rules” who does not care whatever interpretations are given by the Supreme Court on constitutional matters.
We reiterate that if the man who carries his Number Three position like a badge of honour can disrespect orders of our apex court, then Ghana is headed for trouble in future.
If Speaker Bagbin understands what the country’s slip into the law of the jungle can cause us, especially in the midst of the growing culture of indiscipline among the youth, he will think twice about his dictatorial posturing. If someone can disregard the Supreme Court, Speaker Bagbin, an experienced lawyer, and long-time officer of the court should not be a culprit.
We are amazed at the response of Speaker Bagbin to the request for a two-day sitting of Parliament to consider some 22 urgent government businesses.
The excuses are just flimsy, to say the least. What is the Number Three man saying in response to the Majority Leader’s request for the recall of Parliament? Now Speaker Bagbin thinks it will not be in the national interest to interrupt the campaigns of the MPs and the political parties in favour of outstanding but critical government business. What is the national interest in the lexicon of Speaker Bagbin?
Immediately the Minority in Parliament said it will not respond to a recall of Parliament until after the elections, with John Mahama joining in the chorus, we knew Speaker Bagbin will hold aloft the NDC flag in exercising the request from Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
Take and listen to Speaker Bagbin’s response to Afenyo-Markin. “The House will resume sitting after the elections to complete all essential matters before a seamless transition to the 9th Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana. The national interest would better be served if members exhibit conduct of honour, empathy, and humility in the performance of their duties. In the circumstances, I am neither inclined nor disposed to exercise my discretion in favour of your request. The request is accordingly declined.”
The man talks about empathy, but clearly he lacked that feeling in considering Afenyo-Markin’s request. Obviously, Speaker Bagbin does not care again about any government business in so far as it may inure to the electoral gain of the ruling government, which by his actions in recent times, he is bent on putting the “sand” in their gari.
The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has nobody to blame for the present stalemate in Parliament. Out of the venom of a viper that some NPP MPs have for former Speaker Mike Oquaye, they chose Speaker Bagbin instead of their own on the fateful dawn on January 7, 2021. Today, the NPP government and indeed the people of Ghana are bearing the brunt for that selfish and unpatriotic act.