Deputy Majority Leader Afenyo-Markin Stands Firm Against Minority Leader Seating Demand

The Deputy Majority Leader in Ghana's Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, made it clear in a statement that he would never give up his position as majority leader to the Minority leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, amid a growing tension between the two political parties. Afenyo-Markin's announcement coincides with a period of intense political turmoil in Parliament, as MPs from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) boycotted the House on Thursday, November 7, leading to Speaker Alban Bagbin suspending the Assembly indefinitely.

After the NDC Minority MPs regained traditionally strong seats from the Majority party, the majority NPP MP's boycott of the Parliamentary session was widely condemned as an "abnormal" event. The occurrence was the second such incident, leading to an enormous impasse and questioning the seating arrangements in parliament.

Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' morning show featured Afenyo-Markin, who was also the host of the interview. He spoke candidly about the situation. With determination, he asserted that renouncing his seat and permitting Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to sit in the designated spot for the Majority would not be an option. "I'll never have it.". He proclaimed, "Never!"while also recognizing the significance of maintaining the conventional structures and symbols that are associated with majority leadership.

The significance of these seating arrangements in Parliament was emphasized by Afenyo-Markin, who stressed their symbolic importance. That's the practice and conventionIt is not ideal for the Speaker to be seated in the Majority, as per parliamentary practice, where members of the Minority sit to the left of him and those of other minorities sit on the right. This was noted by him.

The Minority was frightened as Afenyo-Markin asked why they had chosen not to sit in their seats, while also being more concerned with the traditional seating arrangement.

In a direct message to Speaker Alban Bagbin, Afenyo-Markin pleaded with him to maintain the current parliamentary order, instructing him to allow them to sit where they are rightfully. He affirmed that they are positioned to his left. ". Moreover, he accused the Speaker of being complicit in their actions, suggesting that the ongoing debate on seating may be motivated by political maneuvering. "Shut up, man! He was reprimanded, with the implication that hostility would not be accepted.

The struggle for Parliament's symbolic representation is a manifestation of a conflict that has persisted for some time between most NPP members and the current NDC Minority over their respective positions in government. Despite the appearance of simple seating arrangements, Afenyo-Markin's refusal to concede is evidence that the NPP is determined to assert its power and adhere strictly to established rules in Parliament.

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