The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has raised concerns over what he describes as a growing attempt to silence the Minority caucus in Parliament through the continuous sidelining of their concerns.
According to the Effutu lawmaker, several motions filed by the Minority have remained stalled despite appearing regularly on the Order Paper. He cited a particular motion seeking an investigation into the dismissal of individuals employed by state-owned institutions since 2018 under the previous NPP administration, which has yet to be fully debated.
Speaking at the Crystal Ball Series organised by the Citizens Bureau of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin said the Minority has made repeated attempts to bring the issue to the floor of the House, but those efforts have been frustrated.
He explained that an initial attempt to debate the motion was halted following a preliminary objection raised by the Majority Leader. Although the Minority later filed an appeal and the appeal motion was accepted, the matter has still not progressed.
“The motion was moved and seconded and one contributor was taken, but it has now been about eight months without further debate. It always appears on the Order Paper, yet we are unable to take it,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin also pointed to another motion filed by the Minority regarding matters involving the Bank of Ghana and the Gold Board. According to him, that motion was submitted in December, duly admitted and advertised on the Order Paper, but has still not been scheduled for discussion.
“We have been in session for about six weeks since Parliament resumed. Government business has consistently found space on the agenda, yet the single business from the Minority has still not been taken,” he lamented.
The Minority Leader urged the Majority caucus to exercise restraint in using its numerical strength in the House and instead work towards building consensus on national issues.
“A super majority does not equate to infallibility,” he said. “A commanding numerical advantage must be exercised with humility, restraint and a profound sense of national responsibility.”
He added that while a strong majority can push through reforms, it should also create room for broader agreement so that laws passed by Parliament enjoy legitimacy, durability and public confidence.
