The New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus staged a walkout from Parliament on Tuesday, following a dispute over seating arrangements in the chamber. The tension arose after members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus took the right side of the chamber, which is traditionally reserved for the majority party. The walkout was led by the NPP’s Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, who stated that his side would not return until the Speaker of Parliament provided clarity on the situation.
In a statement to the press, Afenyo-Markin emphasized the importance of peace and dialogue over confrontation, expressing disappointment at the NDC’s actions. He called on the Speaker to address the issue in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling on the matter.
“The people of Ghana need peace. We in the NPP want peace. The Supreme Court has made its decision, and now the matter is in the hands of the Speaker of Parliament. When we arrived, our friends in the NDC had already taken our seats, but because we deeply value Ghana, we will not resort to fighting. It takes wisdom and understanding to address issues through dialogue, not violence,” Afenyo-Markin said.
The Deputy Majority Leader further highlighted the importance of upholding democratic values, stating that the NPP would not engage in any physical altercations over the dispute. He expressed confidence that the Speaker, an experienced figure in Ghana’s political landscape, would handle the matter appropriately.
“Our children, families, the Ghanaian people, our chiefs, and even the international community are watching us, and they know the capabilities of the NPP. The whole world is watching to see how we, as the ruling party, will handle this. We must demonstrate wisdom and show that we uphold and support democracy. The Supreme Court has spoken, and that is the law,” he added.
The NPP caucus remains in their offices, awaiting the Speaker’s ruling on the matter. The incident has drawn significant attention as it comes at a time when tensions between the NPP and NDC are high, particularly following recent legal battles. The Speaker’s decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for the stability of parliamentary proceedings in the coming days.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Emmanuel Mensah
