The speaker should not imagine he is a king or an emperor. - Afenyo-Markin tells Bagbin.

The Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has urged Speaker Alban Bagbin to take a more inclusive approach in Parliament, respecting and engaging with opposing viewpoints rather than elevating himself above democratic discourse.

Afenyo-Markin spoke to the media outside the Supreme Court on Monday, November 11, following a hearing on the status of vacant parliamentary seats, during which the Supreme Court considered arguments from both the plaintiffs and the Attorney General.

Afenyo-Markin emphasised the need of tolerance in parliamentary leadership, stating that the Speaker should stay open to alternative opinions rather than dismissing them outright. "The speaker should not believe he is a king or emperor...What he is doing, in all candour, is wrong," he said, emphasising that Bagbin's function in Parliament necessitates impartiality and adherence to democratic values.

His remarks come as tensions between the NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in parliament rise.

According to Afenyo-Markin, a Speaker who is prepared to accept opposing viewpoints is required for Parliament to function successfully and democratically. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will rule on the real interpretation of Articles 97 (g) and (h) on November 12th.