Minority leader Afenyo-Markin accuses majority of weakening parliament — MyJoyOnline

In Ghana, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin deemed unacceptable a motion by the parliamentary minority to conduct an investigation into recent drug seizures. Following an emergency sitting, parliamentary minority leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin criticized this decision and the actions of the parliamentary majority.

Minority leader’s statements

Afenyo-Markin said that the majority, with the Speaker’s support, used its supermajority to prevent a full parliamentary examination of the case. In his view, this weakened parliamentary oversight and marked a bad day for the country’s democracy.

As MyJoyOnline reports, the politician also questioned the Speaker’s argument that some matters are already before the courts. According to Afenyo-Markin, this does not explain why parliament cannot exercise constitutional oversight over the operations, management and effectiveness of the involved state institutions.

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The minority leader accused the National Democratic Congress government of being unwilling to allow parliamentary oversight of the consideration of this matter. He also said that the Speaker’s decisions do not meet the standards of integrity required for parliament to exercise its powers.

Majority’s position

The minority insisted on a parliamentary investigation into the circumstances of recent major drug seizures. At the same time, majority representatives said law enforcement agencies should be allowed to continue their ongoing investigations before parliament begins a separate inquiry.