Leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called out the ‘Minority caucus’ (National Democratic Congress) in Parliament, accusing them of attempting to disrupt the payment of public servants’ salaries.
His remarks came after Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, indefinitely adjourned the House on November 7 due to the absence of an agenda prepared by the Business Committee.
The session, initially called by the Majority caucus to address critical legislative issues, faced a major setback as the Majority MPs did not show up in the Chamber.
The adjournment follows tensions marked by the Minority MPs occupying the Majority side of the Chamber, effectively preventing the Majority MPs from participating in the session.
Speaker Bagbin expressed disappointment, noting that without an agenda set by the Business Committee, the House could not proceed.
The impasse has raised concerns about the potential impact on government operations, particularly the timely payment of public servants’ salaries.
Speaking to journalists after the session, Afenyo-Markin alleged that the Minority’s actions were a deliberate attempt to sabotage government business and prevent the passage of key bills.
He specifically mentioned the Free Senior High School (SHS) bill, suggesting that the Minority aimed to use the legislative gridlock to block the government’s educational and budgetary plans. He warned that without the approval of the budget by the first quarter of 2025, public servants might face unpaid salaries due to constitutional budgetary requirements.
Afenyo-Markin also suggested a conspiracy between the Minority and Speaker Bagbin, further deepening the political rift. He pledged to engage with the Speaker in the coming days to find a resolution, emphasizing the urgency of resuming parliamentary work to prevent disruptions in government operations.
With Parliament adjourned indefinitely, the timeline for addressing these pressing issues remains uncertain, leaving both legislators and the public in suspense.
