NDC, Bagbin must respect Supreme Court verdict – Afenyo-Markin

Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has urged both the Minority and Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to respect the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding four parliamentary seats that were previously declared vacant by the Speaker.

Speaker Bagbin had declared the seats of four Members of Parliament — Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central) — vacant on October 17, sparking a heated debate within the House.

Following this decision, Afenyo-Markin petitioned the Supreme Court, requesting a reversal of the Speaker’s ruling to reinstate the affected MPs.

His appeal highlighted the NPP’s commitment to resolving disputes through “peaceful and lawful” means amid heightened tensions in the legislature.

On Tuesday, November 12, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo led a Supreme Court panel in ruling in favour of Afenyo-Markin’s suit, effectively overturning the Speaker’s decision.

Speaking to the press after the ruling, Afenyo-Markin underscored the importance of respecting democratic principles, mutual respect, and adherence to the rule of law within Ghana’s governance structure.ues for the stability and integrity of the parliamentary process.

“Democracy requires decency, and that is the path that the NPP took. We expect our colleagues from the other side and the Speaker to respect the decision of the court. Ghana shines in the eyes of Africans and we must hold that dearly.

“We should all respect the decision. All we want is peace in the country and that is what we chose and that is what we got.”