Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has reaffirmed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament will continue to rely on legal provisions to ensure the proper functioning of the House.
His comments follow a series of adjournments by Speaker Alban Bagbin, who has suspended sittings indefinitely over the contentious issue of determining the Majority and Minority sides in Parliament.
On Thursday, November 8, Speaker Bagbin indefinitely adjourned the parliamentary sitting for the second time, citing a lack of business and the absence of the NPP Caucus in the Chamber.
This decision has further escalated the ongoing impasse, leaving many crucial legislative processes in limbo.
Afenyo-Markin addressed the situation, stressing that the NPP MPs would adhere strictly to legal principles to navigate the current challenges.
“We will continue to rely on the law to get the right things done,” he stated, underscoring the importance of maintaining decorum and respect for democratic processes in Parliament.
The Majority Leader also issued a cautionary note regarding the potential impact of the stalemate on the approval of essential government business, particularly the budget for the first quarter of 2025. He warned that if the House remains deadlocked, it could delay critical financial allocations, affecting the government’s operations early next year.
Afenyo-Markin further alleged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus is intentionally obstructing the passage of key legislation, including the Free Senior High School Bill.
He argued that if the opposition succeeds in blocking this Bill, it would have adverse effects on parents and disrupt the continuation of the popular free SHS policy, which has been a flagship initiative of the NPP government.