Accept your new status as minority leader – Ahmed Ibrahim to Afenyo-Markin

The Deputy Minority Chief Whip in Parliament, Ahmed Ibrahim, has called on the Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to accept his new title as the Minority Leader and return to Parliament to resume government dealings.

In a major political development, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, has officially declared four parliamentary seats vacant. The affected constituencies are Amenfi Central, Fomena, Agona West, and Suhum.

The decision follows a formal petition submitted to the Speaker by Haruna Iddrisu, a prominent Member of Parliament from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Minority Leader. The petition triggered extensive debates and arguments within Parliament, with both the Majority and Minority sides presenting their cases.

As a result of their dismissal, the opposition party NDC currently holds 136 seats, while NPP has been reduced to 135 seats, practically making the NDC the majority party in Parliament.

In an interview with Channel One TV monitored by starrfm.com.gh on October 17, Mr. Ibrahim emphasized the crucial need for parliamentary work to resume, especially when the election is fast approaching.

He further highlighted the current session of the Eighth Parliament is running short on time, making it essential for all members to engage in the legislature.

Mr. Ibrahim again emphasized that Mr. Afenyo-Markin and his group must come to the chamber to do their duties, declaring that government works cannot be abandoned, no matter the situation.

“We have 50 days to elections and within these 50 days, there are major tasks ahead of us. If the new Minority Leader, Afenyo-Markin, is not aware, he has to come and the new finance minister has to prepare a vote on account.”

“So he (Afenyo-Markin) has no time to say that he is waiting for the Supreme Court to come with an interpretation Ghana will not wait for them. We have 50 days to the election.

“We have three weeks to work in Parliament. Within these three weeks, he should accept his status as a minority leader. He is a minority leader and leader of government business,” he added.