Vacant seats: Afenyo-Markin calls for cool heads; urges NDC Caucus, Bagbin to allow the law work

Majority Leader of Ghana's Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called for cool heads following the final judgement of the Supreme Court.

The apex court has quashed the ruling of Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin on the controversial four vacant seats.

In its final ruling today, the Supreme Court stated that the declaration of four parliamentary seats vacant by Speaker Alban Bagbin was unconstitutional.

In delivering the judgment, Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Torkonoo noted that the full reasoning behind the ruling would be available by November 13.

Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, in his reaction to the verdict called on the Minority NDC and Speaker Alban Bagbin to abide by the Supreme Court ruling.

He said the rancour and bickering in Parliament in the past weeks must end for parliamentary business to continue.

“We can only thank God, and also it’s a moment for all of us to rally around the choice we made in 1992 democracy. Democracy requires decency, and that is the path the NPP majority caucus took to ensure that we do right to the law,” Afenyo-Markin stated.

“We expect our colleagues on the other side, including Mister Speaker, to respect the outcome of this case, so that we move on as a nation. All we have is the peace of the country. All we have is our democracy,” he added.

Background of the controversy
The crisis began when Speaker Bagbin declared four parliamentary seats vacant, prompting a Supreme Court ruling that stayed the Speaker’s decision.

The disagreement between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus on the status of the two rulings has led to two indefinite adjournments of Parliament.

Afenyo-Markin’s frustration with peace mediation

On Joy FM’s Newsfile, Afenyo-Markin revealed his unsuccessful attempts to engage with Bagbin, including personal calls and a visit to the Speaker’s home.

He claimed that respected bodies, prominent chiefs, and the Council of State and Peace Council members have also been rebuffed by Bagbin.

“I went there again, he was not ready to receive me,” Afenyo-Markin stated. “Apart from that, Council of State and Peace Council members tried to engage him, including prominent chiefs….”

In another media engagement, Afenyo Markin explained, “The council of state reached out to me again that they have spoken to Mr Speaker, and he concedes that he has not made a ruling and that the NDC will move to their own seat; he gave them that assurance. The council of state communicated that to us and if in all this Mr Speaker decides to [not comply], what should I do?”

Previous Attempts at Resolution
This is not the first time Afenyo-Markin has sought to resolve the impasse.

In July 2024, he petitioned Speaker Bagbin to recall parliament following the Speaker’s decision to indefinitely adjourn the session.

Former President Kufuor has also weighed in, urging Bagbin to show leadership and end the embarrassing standoff.

The parliamentary impasse has sparked concerns about the country’s democratic institutions and the ability of its leaders to work together effectively.

The latest ruling has settled the long-standing parliamentary impasse between the NPP Caucus and NDC Caucus over who holds the majority status.