The outgoing Majority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has advised the incoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) government regarding the position of Speaker of the House.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin praised the current Speaker, Alban Bagbin, for his excellent work over the past four years, emphasising the importance of having a speaker with institutional knowledge.
Afenyo-Markin suggested that if the new government decides to replace Bagbin, they should choose a new speaker from within Parliament.
He stressed that an outsider would not understand the inner workings of Parliament, and it would be beneficial to have someone who is already familiar with the institution.
The outgoing Majority Leader expressed his preference for an existing member of the house, “someone who will understand us.”
He said, Mr Speaker, the institutional empowerment you have given to Parliament is unmatched, and it is likely because we have you as speaker coming from within. Mr Speaker, I don’t know whether you will be retained or if a new person will be appointed… If they decide to maintain you, I know parliament will continue to benefit.”
“But should they decide to retire you, which I know they can do, if they choose to bring in a new Speaker, that person should come from within. We don’t want an outsider,” he said during the House’s first sitting after the long break caused by the vacant seat impasse.”
