The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has strongly criticized the Minority caucus in Parliament for allegedly attempting to sabotage the payment of public servants’ salaries amid the ongoing parliamentary impasse.
Afenyo-Markin’s comments came after Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, adjourned the House indefinitely on Thursday, November 7, due to a lack of business for lawmakers to deliberate on.
This was attributed to the failure of the Business Committee to meet and prepare the necessary agenda.
The recall session, initiated by the Majority caucus, was expected to address several critical issues. However, the Majority MPs did not appear in the Chamber.
Speaker Bagbin expressed disappointment, stating that their absence caused the proceedings to stall. Additionally, the Minority MPs, upon entering the chamber, occupied the Majority side, forcing the Majority MPs to remain outside.
In his address, Speaker Bagbin pointed out that without the input of the Business Committee and an agenda, the session could not proceed as planned.
Speaking to journalists in Accra after the adjournment, Afenyo-Markin accused the Minority of deliberately obstructing government business.
He further warned that public servants might not receive their salaries if the impasse is not resolved soon.
Afenyo-Markin also accused the Minority of conspiring with the Speaker to prevent the passage of key legislation, including the Free Senior High School (SHS) bill.
He expressed concern that the government’s agenda, including policies like the Free SHS and the payment of public servants, could be delayed if the budget is not approved before the next parliamentary session.
“Their main target is the Free SHS bill, the pre-announcement of laying in Parliament. And you remember how they fought against it. It’s an opportunity for them, as it were to prevent the Free SHS bill from being passed.
“Don’t be swayed by their lies and propaganda. The chaos they started is how they want to end, we will not allow it. Right now, what the NDC [Minority] has done basically is one; They don’t want Ghanaians to receive their pay, as public servants. Because they know that after the elections, there will be no budget.
“To be able to pay workers, there would be a need for approval of the budget in the first quarter of next year [2025]. It’s a constitutional requirement, they want to stampede it.”
He added that they look forward to engaging with the Speaker in the coming hours or days.
This latest adjournment comes amid ongoing tensions between the Majority and Minority caucuses over which side is the majority in the House impacting parliamentary proceedings in recent weeks.
With the indefinite adjournment, it remains uncertain when Parliament will reconvene to address the stalled issues, leaving the legislative agenda for this session in a state of flux.
