NPP-Germany’s attack on Bagbin Is Steeped In Deep Ignorance - German NDC Members

A group of National Democratic Congress (NDC) members in Germany have fired back at the Germany branch of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) over recent insult that the elephants heaped on the Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.

In response to the NPP Germany’s disparaging remark that the Speaker’s recall of parliament for sitting on Thursday, after he had earlier adjourned the House indefinitely, amounted to hypocrisy, the Concerned members of the NDC in Germany said the accusation is steeped in “stinking ignorance.”

“First of all, to say that Speaker Bagbin’s decision to recall the House was in obedience to the Supreme Court is wholly, absolutely and factually untrue. The Speaker recalled the House to sit in obedience to the rules of engagement of Parliament,” the concerned NDC members in Germany wrote.

This was captured as part of a statement that was signed by its Convener, Mr. R. B. Beckley.

“The stinking ignorance that the NPP in Germany displayed in that unwarranted attack on the Speaker is one more reason why Ghanaians must kick their nation-wrecking government out of office and bar the road back into government to them forever,” the statement added.

It would be recalled that the Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin recalled parliament to consider urgent government business on Thursday even though the Speaker had a week earlier adjourned parliament sine die.

Explaining his decision which meant that Parliament had to sit temporally at the Conference Center because the Parliament House was undergoing works, the Speaker referenced Article 112 (3) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Orders 53(1) and 53(2).

Article 112(3) of the Constitution states: "Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, fifteen per cent of members of Parliament may request a meeting of Parliament and the Speaker shall, within seven days after the receipt of the request, summon Parliament.”

Standing Order 53(1), reiterates: “Despite any other provision, fifteen per cent of the members of Parliament may request a meeting of Parliament and the Speaker shall, within seven days after the receipt after the request, summon Parliament."

In addition, Standing Order 53(2), further stipulates: “Parliament shall convene within seven days after the issuance of the notice of summons.”

“The request to reconvene was made by NPP MPs who definitely form more than 15 percent of parliament,” the concerned NDC members in Germany pointed out.

The Rt. Hon. Speaker’s decision was therefore premised on these laws. However, to the shock of many, the NPP in Germany released a statement declaring that the Speaker had finally bowed to the Supreme Court and that his action is hypocritical and shameful.

A rather ignorant toned statement, it was titled: “Speaker Alban Bagbin hypocritically bows in shame to reconvene parliament.”

The disrespectful statement claimed among others, that, “his reluctant compliance with the Supreme Court ruling has sparked criticism and raised questions about the integrity and authority of parliament as a whole.”

However, as the NDC in Germany points out, “this factual misfire shows that the NPP as a whole, and the NPP in Germany in particular know nothing about the laws of Ghana. These are a bunch of ignoramus who have no idea what they talk or write about.”

The NDC in Germany further went on to proffer unsolicited legal education to the NPP in Germany, admonishing the NPP to, “take time to learn about what you comment on.”

The NDC in Germany also pointed out that Bagbin, as the head of Parliament is the third in command of Ghana after only the President and the Vice, and that the Chief Justice comes fourth in the chain of power after the Speaker. “so, there is no way the Speaker can bow to the Chief Justice or the Speaker’s Office can bow to the Supreme Court so long as Parliament is in order.”

It pointed out that Speaker Bagbin’s enormous powers were on display again on Thursday when he re-adjourned parliament indefinitely after the Business Committee failed to present business before the House.

“We dare the ignorant NPP to go and force the Rt. Hon. Speaker Bagbin to reconvene parliament against the rules and see what will happen,” the Concerned NDC Members in Germany dared.