The Minority in Parliament has raised alarms over what they describe as increasing threats to their safety, prompting them to take measures to strengthen their security.
Addressing the press on Monday, February 3, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Majority of intimidation and harassment, stating that New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs were being targeted.
“We’ve been cooperative, but they’re bullies,” he declared. “They intimidate us, and if we don’t stand strong, they’ll continue to bully us and we won’t allow that.”
He pointed to a recent development in the Appointments Committee, where an initial agreement to vet three ministerial nominees was unexpectedly changed by the NDC, leading to five nominees being vetted instead.
Beyond procedural disputes, Afenyo-Markin alleged that NPP MPs have been subjected to physical intimidation by NDC foot soldiers.
“We’ve brought this to the attention of Parliament Police, and we’re taking steps to beef up our security,” he revealed. “The attacks are becoming too frequent, and we don’t feel safe.”
He also defended the NPP MPs’ conduct during their protest on Thursday night, stressing that they were law-abiding and did not damage public property. Afenyo-Markin called on critics to review footage of the incident before drawing conclusions.
The Office of the Speaker of Parliament is preparing to recall Parliament in early November in response to a petition from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Caucus, which urged the Speaker to reconvene the House to address urgent issues.
Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin informed a five-member delegation from the Council of State, led by Chairman Nana Otuo Siriboe II, that steps are already underway to facilitate Parliament’s recall.
The delegation visited the Speaker to gain insight into recent legislative developments, including the indefinite adjournment of the House.
In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, the Parliamentary Service shared that, following extensive discussions, Council members expressed their commitment to assisting the Speaker and House leadership in resolving any ongoing issues to enable Parliament’s prompt resumption.
The Speaker also briefed the delegation on the circumstances in Parliament and elaborated on his recent pronouncements on the floor.
He assured the Council of his dedication to advancing the nation’s democracy. However, he explained his current obligation to lead a Ghanaian delegation to the 67th Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
The delegation includes Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, former Majority Leader and MP for Suame, along with the two House leaders, Whips, the Clerk to Parliament, and other Parliamentary Service officials.
The CPA Conference is set to take place from November 3 to November 8, during which Speaker Bagbin, as the outgoing CPA International President, is expected to transfer leadership to the newly elected President, the Speaker of the New South Wales Parliament.
However, Speaker Bagbin indicated his intention to return to Ghana earlier than initially planned to fulfill MPs’ request to recall Parliament.
The Council praised Speaker Bagbin for upholding Ghana’s democratic integrity through his legislative leadership and international roles, including his presidency of CPA International, the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSHAL), and his executive membership with the International Legislative Advisory Council of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in the United States. Nana Otuo Siriboe encouraged him to continue these efforts for the benefit of Ghana and its citizens.
The Speaker has recently been re-elected to a second term as President of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures. On October 22, he indefinitely suspended parliamentary proceedings due to ongoing legal proceedings related to his October 17 declaration of four seats as vacant.
This action led the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to claim majority status, as two of the affected seats belong to NPP members running as independents in the December 7 election, while a third seat is held by an independent candidate allied with the NPP. The fourth seat belongs to an NDC member.
The impacted MPs include Andrew Asiamah Amoako, Second Deputy Speaker and MP for Fomena, who serves as an independent member; Madam Cynthia, the NPP MP for Agona West; Mr. Kwadjo Asante, NPP MP for Suhum; and Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah, the NDC MP for Amenfi Central.
Upon adjourning the House, Speaker Bagbin noted that he had received a Supreme Court directive to stay his previous ruling regarding the four vacant seats. Although Parliament had a quorum to conduct business, he stated that the House lacked sufficient numbers to make formal decisions.
“Hon. members, we don’t have at least half of all the Members of Parliament present. Consequently, in view of the current circumstances, the fact that there’s a question on the composition and constitution of Parliament, and having regard to the public interest, and the exigencies of the affairs in Parliament, I will proceed in accordance with standing order 59 adjourn the house indefinitely, that is sine die.
“Hon. members, I have consulted leadership, and I’m exercising my discretion to decide to suspend the meeting of the house indefinitely – the House is accordingly.”
Prior to the declaration of the four seats as vacant, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin submitted an application to the Supreme Court, requesting it to prevent the Speaker from ruling on the matter in response to a motion filed by the Minority to declare the seats vacant.
However, on Wednesday, October 30, the Supreme Court declined the Speaker’s request to overturn its prior ruling suspending the Speaker’s declaration of the seats as vacant, given Afenyo-Markin’s application before the court.
The Court has now scheduled November 11 for its final judgment on the main application submitted by Mr. Afenyo-Markin.
Majority Leader Alex Afenyo Markin has revealed that he plays a crucial role as a mediator between the factions led by Kennedy Agyapong and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He disclosed that both he and his close associate, Kennedy Agyapong, initially supported Dr. Bawumia. However, when Agyapong decided to contest the NPP presidential primaries, Markin found himself in a delicate situation.
He couldn’t betray his friend Agyapong, nor could he retract his commitment to Vice President Bawumia.
In an interview with Citi News, Afenyo Markin emphasised his impartial stance, expressing openness to both factions and even consulting with party elders.
He reiterated his loyalty to Agyapong while acknowledging his responsibility to maintain cohesion within the party.
“Both of us were Bawumia and out of the blue, he informed me that, Alex, I want to contest. I said okay, but as it is, I am a Freemason and a Catholic. I know how to respect friendship, and if you give your word to a brother, you have to keep it. So I told him that our friendship would remain, but it would be difficult to be seen out there doing this or that.
However, I will want to play the role of resolving issues and being the bridge. He understood where I was coming from. I am an open-minded person, and no one suspected me.
I told Dr. Bawumia what the situation was; I told Ken what the situation was; and I told Mr President what the situation was and the party elders.
This is a man who, when I was going through a crisis in Parliament, said that positions had been shared and nobody considered Afenyo Markin.
He calls me at midnight into his house;we talk business and Alex says I will give you capital to revive your business. He gives me capital to revive my business and I turn around to betray him. No, I can’t do that,” he said.
On whether Kennedy Agyapong will support the Dr Mahamudu Bawumia campaign, he indicated that everything will be alright.
Member of Parliament for the Effutu Constituency,Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, has openly stated that he has never aspired to serve as a minister within the government.
Instead, he expresses his strong desire to remain in Parliament, believing that it is the most effective platform for serving the country.
This sentiment was conveyed by the majority leader during an interview with Accra-based Citi TV.
He said “In 2017, when we came into office, I had some expectations but I lost out in leadership, I lost out in ministerial appointments. But on the ministerial thing, I don’t want to be a minister, and I still don’t want to be a minister. I think I should serve in Parliament.
But even so, at the committee level, we had first-timers becoming chairmen and vice chairs, and I was a bob no rank, I didn’t complain, I kept on working. After the incident at the ECOWAS parliament, I sacrificed and came back home.
Later, when my name was taken off the list, there was no notice served on me and I thought we were going to have a renewal. A colleague who was already a chair and a vice chair had another opportunity to serve on the delegation but I didn’t complain. In this game of politics, you can’t survive with bitterness.
If you’re always thinking you’ll go through mental health issues, depression and your immune system will come down. I have a certain view that, whatever your lot, take it and move on. That’s me; I try to take away the pressure from the job, be myself and hope for a better day and alas, that day arrived unexpectedly,” he said.
The Election Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has suspended the balloting of positions for the party’s Primaries slated for November 4, 2023.
Spokesperson of the Committee, Alexander Afenyo Markin, made this known today, September 6, during an engagement with the media.
“The engagement was fruitful. The issues raised were all addressed. We have agreed to proceed with the guidelines, and when we are done, we will again serve you notice, and soon thereafter, we will proceed with the balloting,” he said.
He engaged the press following a crucial meeting held by the Election Committee and the party’s presidential aspirants as well as members of the Electoral Commission.
Present at the NPP headquarters were Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto.
Officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) led by Director of Electoral Services, Dr. Serebour Quaicoo, arrived at the venue to oversee the proceedings.
With Mr Kyerematen out of the race, Mr Kennedy Agyapong, Dr Afriyie Akoto and Francis Addai-Nimo will contest against Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is considered the front runner in the party’s presidential elections.
Four Members of Parliament representing both Caucuses have made a courtesy visit to the chiefs of Gomoa Ajumako, Gomoa Akyempim, and Effutu in the Central Region.
This move is part of broader efforts to find a resolution to the ongoing conflicts surrounding land ownership and boundaries in the region.
Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu, led Mr Desmond D. Paitoo, a National Democratic Congress (NDC), MP for Gomoa East; Mr Richard Gyan-Mensah, an NDC MP for Gomoah West and Naana Eyiah, an NPP MP for Gomoa Central and Deputy Minister for the Interior, to engage with the traditional leaders.
The rest of the delegation were Alhaji Kassim Zubairu, the Municipal Chief Executive for Effutu; Mr Solomon Quarm, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Gomoa East; Mr Bismark Baisie Nkum, the DCE for Gomoah West and Mr Benjamian Kojo Otto, the DCE for Gomoa Central.
A statement signed by Mr Afenyo-Markin, who is also the Deputy Majority Leader of Parliament and issued to the Ghana News Agency said the delegation’s commitment to an impartial strategy for resolving the land disputes and ensuring peace in the areas were paramount.
It said for the Region’s development, there would be the creation of a Development Authority for each of the areas visited as a strategic instrument to propel the developmental agenda of the enclave.
It also emphasised the creation of a bi-partisan joint committee to address the land concerns of the chiefs.
According to the Statement, Obrempong Nyanful Krampah XI, the Paramount Chief of Gomoa Ajumako, expressed his profound gratitude to the team for the visit.
“Gomoa Ajumako and Effutu do not currently have any open land disputes,” it said.
The statement said, the Paramount Chief, therefore, underlined the critical value of peaceful co-existence and applauded the group’s dedication to arriving at a solution that was advantageous to all sides.
On his part, Obirfo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II, the Paramount Chief of Gomoa Akyempim, announced his consent for the plans made by the team that would enable them to achieve enduring peace and development.
“He sincerely reiterated his commitment to a peaceful resolution of the disagreements and openly admitted the frustrations that had motivated his earlier public utterances regarding the land issues, prompting the team’s visits,” it said.
The Statement quoted Nenyi Ghartey VII, the Paramount Chief of Effutu, as expressing gratitude for the team’s timely effort and reaffirming the Effutu Traditional Council’s support for their innovative ideas.
It added that Nenyi Ghartey VII lauded the delegation for their determined efforts that were leading to resolving tensions in the area.
He, therefore, called for continuous development in the area.
The Gomoa Assin Traditional Council, which has jurisdiction over all the Gomoa towns, in a news report allegedly expressed dissatisfaction with the alleged encroachment activities of the Effutu people on their lands.
Obirfo Ahunakor Ahor Ankobea, Omanhene of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council is alleged to have said the trend if not stopped, could lead to a confrontation between the two traditional authorities.
The two ethnic groups had a history of land disputes, and in recent weeks, traditional leaders from both sides had traded affronts.
The dispute was reignited by an alleged recent claim by some traditional leaders from Atekyedo, which is part of the Effutu traditional area, that the lands of Okyereko fall within the Effutu enclave.
At a Press Conference in Parliament on Monday, Mr Afenyo-Markin told the Parliamentary Press Corps that a bi-partisan Committee dedicated to thoroughly investigating the land dispute between the Chiefs and people of Gomoa was set to be established.
He explained that the issues transcended partisan affiliations and required a united approach from all political parties.
“… The committee will thoroughly investigate the underlying administrative and traditional boundary issues to resolve the dispute between the chiefs and people of the two areas.
“As political leaders, we hold the responsibility of preserving the cultural heritage and security of our communities to attract investment to the enclave,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said.
The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed has lashed out at his colleague MPs on the Majority side, following the events of the House on Friday, March 24, 2023.
He said the Majority members of the House of are using “frivolous” and “useless” tactics to delay voting on the new ministerial appointees.
Speaking to JoyNews’ Kwaku Asante in Parliament on Friday, Mr Mohammed said that the NPP is purposely delaying voting on the appointees, because they do not have the numbers to get the ministers-designate approved.
“One of my colleagues just drew my attention that the NPP are just 120 in the chamber. It got to time for voting, we finished with the debate, and polling booths and everything were ready, It was Afenyo Markin who started with his shenanigans, trying to delay the process – perhaps the people who are not there they are expecting them to get here,” he said.
Mr Mohammed added that “even when the speaker ruled that we needed to go ahead with the voting, you have Annoh Dompreh who got up demanding that we should tilt the position of the polling booths- those are frivolous, every useless reason for which the delay is happening.”
The Tamale Central MP insisted that once the debate on the appointments has been concluded, voting must be done today (Friday) whether or not the NPP has the numbers.
This comes after the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin suspended sitting because the MPs could not come to a consensus.
The sitting was suspended to give the leadership of the two sides the opportunity to come to a consensus after the Majority asked that seating arrangements, ballot box placements and others be altered while the Minority insisted that the vote should go on.
The voting process was earlier postponed from Thursday evening to Friday.
Meanwhile, Mr Mohammed added that “I wasn’t expecting our Minority Leader to make the statement he made, when he said that if they aren’t prepared to vote then because of Ramadan we should have the voting done next week.”
“I totally disagree with him. It is very clear the NPP doesn’t have the numbers and that is why we are insisting that we will do the voting, we have finished with the debate, and there is nothing more left to be done, except go ahead to vote.”
These are the ministers-designate who are expected to be approved
Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, K.T Hammond has been appointed Minister-designate for Trade and Industry.
2. Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Brian Acheampong has been appointed Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture.
3. Member of Parliament for Karaga, Mohammed Amin Adam, who was stationed at the Energy Ministry as Deputy Minister has been given a new post. He has been appointed Minister of State at the Finance Ministry. He is set to replace Charles Adu Boahen.
Stephen Amoah, K.T. Hammond and Brian Acheampong
4. Stephen Asamoah Boateng has been appointed Minister-designate for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
5. Herbert Krapah, who was Deputy Minister at the Trade Ministry has been moved to the Energy Ministry as Deputy Minister-designate. He replaces Mohammed Amin Adam.
6. Meanwhile, Dr Stephen Amoah is now Deputy Minister-designate for Trade and Industry to replace Herbert Krapah.
Asamoah Boateng, Mohammed Amin Adam, Hebert Krapah and O.B Amoah
7. Member of Parliament for Akuapem South, Osei Bonsu Amoah, has been appointed Minister of State at the Local Government and Rural Development Ministry.
Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has described the censure motion against Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was a botched attempt by the Parliamentary Minority caucus.
According to him, the majority group will not in any way support the motion for the removal of Mr Ofori-Atta as the Finace Minister.
He warned the Minority caucus not to kid themselves into thinking they would have the votes to win by saying the Majority would be immune from any secret ballot against the Finance Minister.
Haruna Iddrisu, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South in the Northern Region of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), stated that “if those courageous 98 gallant NPP MPs or Majority MPs cooperate, we will be very successful in getting a new Finance Minister for Ghana and exiting Ken Ofori-Atta”
The Deputy Majority Leader, in contrast, questioned Mr. Iddrisu that “the motion has already failed and who told you that you are going to get any support from this side?”
He went on to say that “we have told you that it is a political motion, and we will not support you, as we made it clear. Mr. Speaker, the Minority should not be under any impression that in any so-called secret ballot you are going to have somebody to support you as you do not have the numbers”.
The Finance Minister was the target of a censure resolution submitted by the minority caucus in Parliament, which also accused him of serious economic mismanagement and conflicts of interest.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has been urged to abide by the agreed-upon timeline by some New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmakers who are also pushing for the Finance Minister’s dismissal.
The NPP MPs agreed not to boycott the 2023 budget presentation and that the necessary action would be taken once it had been read.
An attempt by the majority in parliament to raise a preliminary objection against the motion for a vote of censure brought by the minority against Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been rejected.
The minority, led by Haruna Iddrisu, moved the motion on Thursday, November 10, 2022, seeking to pass a vote of censure against the under-fire minister for finance.
Arguing against the motion after it was moved by the minority leader, Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said admitting the motion in the house would amount to injustice being dealt against the minister for finance.
“As it stands now, if this motion is allowed to proceed, it would amount to injustice in a sense that the minister wouldn’t be given enough time to prepare a defence,” the deputy majority leader said.
The majority, among other things, argued that the minister would be denied a fair trial and that the house would be overstepping its remit if it decided to go ahead and admit the motion.
However, ruling on the objection by the majority, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin said the minister will duly be granted an opportunity to defend himself as part of the process in dealing with the motion.
The speaker further hinted that the motion will be referred to a committee of the house, upon whose recommendation the house will act.
The minority is asking, among other things, for the removal of the minister of finance over what they say is his mismanagement of the economy, leading to high cost of living, and inflation.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin says the Cedi has gained some value against the US dollar following moves in parliament to remove Ken Ofori-Atta as Finance Minister.
According to him, the action being taken by the minority concerning a motion for a vote of censure against Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister, has begun restoring some level of confidence in the Ghanaian economy.
“Because of this motion, you know what has happened to the state of our Cedi. Just because people are given confidence that action is being taken, the Cedi gained some value, and parliament should be commended. It climbed from about 16 to a dollar to around 13, that is a serious gain for this country, and it’s because there is some confidence being given to the people that action is being taken to rectify the wrongs. Please let’s play our role properly and effectively, and at the end of the day, we’ll all benefit,” he told MPs on Thursday.
Meanwhile, he thanked the Deputy Majority Leader, Afenyo Markin, for drawing the attention of the House with regard to the proper procedure in filing the motion for a vote of censure against Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
“You’ve done well by drawing our attention, but I think the proper thing has been done, and we should leave it as it is. I know as we keep on jaw-jawing, we’ll do what is proper in this House.”
The deputy majority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, had argued that the minority MPs failed to attach evidence to the motion to back their claims.
“Mr. Speaker, I beg to submit that the legal grounds or grounds for submission are not embedded in the motion. I am saying that Mr. Speaker, the motion is supposed to be advertised; that is what the constitution says. The constitution is not saying that you should accompany it with allegations as part of the motion; that is my contention. And if they beg to disagree, they should say so for the records to capture. And if there is any other provision that perhaps I have not read which allows you to state allegations, not fact, to support your motion, they should again draw my attention; we are here to learn. I’m not ashamed if I get it wrong, and I’m corrected. Mr. Speaker, I so submit.”
Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu however, rubbished the claim arguing there’s enough evidence to impeach Ken Ofori-Atta.
“We have made reference to constitutional provisions of Article 178, 176, and 82. Mr. Speaker to demonstrate with facts on this floor that the Minister is in breach of the law apart from the fact that he’s trashed the Ghanaian economy, we’ll do so. You cannot question the competence of the Speaker in admitting the motion. And we have not given you any fact, we are only giving you headlines of the matters to which we’ll lead with evidence.”
Background
Members of Parliament on the Minority side have tabled a motion for a vote of censure on Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister, filed on Monday.
The minority cites the gross mismanagement of the Ghanaian economy which has occasioned untold and unprecedented hardship among others.
The motion was filed a day before parliament resumed from recess.
The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has made donations of tools and equipment to students of Winneba NVTI.
The tools and equipment which were handed over to Mr. Martin Young, the Principal of the institute, include ovens, sets of tool boxes for plumbing and electricals, laptops for I.T and industrial sewing machines for students in fashion.
Receiving the tools and equipment, the Principal of the institute recounted all the help and assistance received from the Member of Parliament for Effutu.
“This institute is very grateful to Honourable Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin for his immense contributions to the growth and development of this Winneba NVTI. At no point in time have we called on him that he hasn’t assisted us,” he said.
“Quite a number of students received scholarships from him every year. We have also received drilling machines today from him. He has built and furnished for us a new library complex stocked with 50 computers. There is also a 60-capacity classroom which has helped in our intake,” he said.
Mr. Martin Young also pointed out that the Deputy Majority Leader has also built a summer hut for the Winneba NVTI.
“We are eternally grateful for the assistance we have been receiving from Honourable Alex Markin. Without these tools and equipment, we have been finding it extremely difficult to function. This is a great relief to us, and we are grateful to our MP,” he further stated.
“Don’t forget the MP for Effutu, Honourable Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin. It is not everybody, it is not every MP that’ll do this. He has done so much for the school, and he is now doing it for individuals. He knows you are finishing school and that you need these things to start life. So you tell your parents to appreciate these,” he said in his concluding remarks.
The donations were made on behalf of Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at the Winneba National Vocational Training Institute.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, says while free movement within the ECOWAS sub-region is being embraced, this must be done within a framework that ensures the safety of member states’ borders and their stability.
According to him, with conflicts and jihadist insurrections taking place across the sub-region, member states have increasingly become wary of people that troop into their country, Ghana not being an exception.
This he says have led to the extra checks and scrutiny that occur at various borders across the sub-region.
Speaking at the 2022 extraordinary session of the ECOWAS Parliament, Afenyo-Markin noted that while free movement within the sub-region is guaranteed, Parliamentarians should work to educate their constituents about the limitations and protocols that surround such free movement.
“Free movement is something we should all embrace after all, one of the bona fides of getting ECOWAS in place was to create that atmosphere where as a sub-region we’ll not be limited by borders. But also, member countries have their challenges.
“The challenge of security, the challenge of political instability, so you’d realise that member states are also finding ways of controlling the free movement in a manner that they can manage so that they know who is coming in, what purpose, why and all that,” he said.
He added, “Member states or citizens of the sub-region are supposed to meet certain conditions if they’re trading in a member state. All these are very essential. To me as parliamentarians we should continue to create the awareness, let our citizens know the community protocols if they want to move from their home country to another we should be able to interact more and explain to our people but at the same time, we should also let our citizens appreciate the security challenges.”
Expounding on Ghana’s concern with immigration at its northern borders, he noted that the instability of the Sahel countries poses a grave concern to Ghanaian authorities as their persistence could lead to a spill over into the country; destabilising Ghana as well.
“My country Ghana for instance is very much concerned about its northern border with Burkina Faso. The instability in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso is of great concern to Ghana and if we don’t control the influx, it would undermine our own security.
“So in this case, it cannot be that in controlling, or regulating, or seeing to it that you put in measures to prevent an influx you’re preaching community protocol of free movement. There’s an essential need to ensure that there is security in your own country so that people will not come in under the pretext of ECOWAS citizens to destabilise your country,” he said.
Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has stated that Ghanaians cannot be stopped from criticising the judiciary’s actions or condemned for doing so.
Speaking at the 7th Legal Luminaries Conference on September 23, 2022 at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), he discussed how Ghana’s democratic system of governance allows for the constructive criticism of the various branches of government.
“Let me state without any fear of contradiction that it is fair and democratic for citizens to criticise the work of our justices constructively,” he said.
He explained his assertion by citing a judicial bribery scandal in 2015 and how the institutions of the state responded quickly by punishing all justices and judicial officers found culpable.
Afenyo-Markinreminded the public to be aware of the fact that there is, “everything diabolic about barefaced attacks that, in and of themselves, seek to intimidate our Justices and bend them to the will of those sections of the public and the political class.”
The deputy majority leader, who also serves as a member of parliament for Effutu in the Central Region, has warned that such attacks undermine public trust in the judiciary.
This, according to him, will, in the long run, encourage unsuspecting citizens to take the law into their own hands, posing a serious threat to national security.
His comments come at a time when former President John Dramani Mahamahas heavily criticised the actions of the judiciary.
Addressing a gathering at the NDC’s Lawyers’ Conference on August 28, 2022, the 2020 NDC flagbearerwho lost the elections and a subsequent petition at the Supreme Court insisted that it would take a new Chief Justice to repair the ‘broken image’ of the Judiciary.
“There is therefore the urgent need for the Ghanaian Judiciary to work to win the trust and confidence of the citizenry, and erase the widely held perception of hostility and political bias in legal proceedings at the highest courts of the land. Unfortunately, we have no hope that the current leadership of our Judiciary can lead such a process of change,” Mr Mahama said.
“My dismay is founded more on the fact that I am a lawyer and every lawyer ought to be concerned about these kinds of views expressed by a political leader in this country!,” he added.
Prior to the former statesman’s comment, there were concerns about President Akufo-Addo’s request for four judges to be elevated onto the Supreme Court Bench.
The nominees from the Court of Appeal are Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu, Justice George Kingsley Koomson, and Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu.
Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu is the only nominee from the High Court.
He asserted that critics have dangerously weaponized the appointment of judicial officers in a way as to mislead unsuspecting citizens into believing that judges do the bidding of the presidents who appoint them.
“This is a dangerous trend that must be discouraged to protect the health of our democracy,” he advised.
The Deputy Majority Leader holds the assertion that “there is no evidence to show that the current constitutional arrangements have failed and that our justices lack the presence of mind to think and act independently.”
Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance, has given indications that barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will withdraw the Electronic Transaction Bill (E-Levy) and reintroduce same in Parliament on Friday, 11th February, 2022.
This was made known by Mr Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, when he presented the Business Statement of the House for the weekend ending Friday, 11th February, 2022.
He said the Minister of Finance had given indication after his nationwide engagement with the citizenry on the E-Levy Bill, of the likelihood of the withdrawal of the Bill and reintroduction of same on Friday, 11th February, 2022., barring any unforeseen circumstances.
“In the event that, he is unlikely to withdraw and reintroduce the Bill on Friday, 11th February, 2022, he may do so on Tuesday, 15th February, 2022,†the Deputy Majority Leader stated.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said after the withdrawal and reintroduction of the Bill, the Business Committee of the House would programme the Bill for consideration during the course of the Fourth Week of their Meeting.
He urged Members of the House to participate fully in the consideration of the Bill for the passing of a good piece of legislation for the benefit of all.
The Parliamentary Candidate for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Effutu constituency, Dr James Kofi Annan has denied claims of being a thief alleging that the incumbent Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin is the one using the police to intimidate him.
Contrary to police claims that he dishonestly used money which is not his, Dr Kofi Annan revealed that a prominent sub-chief in the Central Region, (name withheld) donated an amount of GH¢100,000 to support his association “Winneba is King Movement†for specific activities in the Effutu constituency long before his declaration as to the Parliamentary Candidate for the NDC.
The money, according to Kofi Annan was paid in two equal instalments, one on the 4th of February 2020 through the Consolidated Bank Ghana and the other on the 7th of February 2020 via the same bank.
He backed his claims with two receipts of the deposits which were made into his account.
He revealed that he received a phone call from the Criminal Investigation Department(CID) in Winneba instructing him(Kofi Annan) to report to the Winneba district police Commander in connection with the deposits made into his account.
He added that upon arrival the said CID informed him (Kofi Annan) and his team were told that a man by name Ackah had lodged a complaint with the police that someone had wrongfully lodged money into his(Kofi Annan) personal account and that he was seeking a refund of the said money.
“All this while, the police administration, unknown to me and without any discussion with me, had secured a court order and had managed to secure my bank statement from the Ghana Commercial Bank(GCB) Winneba branch†Kofi Annan lamented.
This, he explained, was obviously a breach of faith as nothing of that sort had been discussed with him.
Dr Annan observed that his checks further revealed that the complainant appears to have links with the Parliamentary candidate of NPP, Alexander Afenyo Markin.
“My preliminary investigations tells me that the said company, Petrinock Investment Enterprise and its attendant account were deliberately set up primarily to wage a smear campaign against my person to find something of smear value against me since my opponent has so far failed to get any single scandal around me†he added.
Dr Annan, therefore, protested the conduct of the Ghana Police Service in Winneba and dared the administration to extend their investigations to include the said complainant in order to arrest those behind the scheme rather than their veiled attempt to focus on an innocent person.
“Somebody should tell my opponent, Afenyo-Markin that he will not get any scandal around me unless he manufactures some for me†he warned.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu constituency of the Central region, Alexander Afenyo-Markin on today, 7th March, 2020, led his constituents to plant Royal Palm trees on the streets of Winneba.
The tree planting exercise forms part of the recently launched Effutu Dream to reignite the energies in the youth to build themselves economically and also help the constituency to develop at a faster rate.
According to the MP, the aim of the exercise is to beautify the constituency with the view to enhancing its tourism potential as well as creating employment opportunities for the teeming youth in the communities across the Effutu Municipality.
The outspoken legislator launched the Effutu Dream some weeks ago bringing on board the energetic youth within the constituency to tap their rich talented potentials, and also offer opportunities to the teeming youth.
The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, on Thursday, February 27, 2020, took the wraps off his Effutu Dream project.
Speaking at the maiden Effutu Youth Conference held in Winneba, the Honourable Afenyo-Markin explained what the Effutu Dream represents.
“It is having the can do mindset and believe that with hard work and determination, we can achieve our goals,” he said.
He further stated that the Effutu Dream is the belief that everyone who is created by God has special abilities to prosper and excel in life and that with the right and enabling environment, even a beggar on the street can become a billionaire.
Not leaving people who may not be from Effutu but schooling in the Constituency out, Honourable Afenyo-Markin said; “The dream is to make sure that persons working and schooling in Effutu have what it takes to compete favourably with their contemporaries anywhere in the world”
He further indicated that the dream is to make sure that Effutu is well positioned to welcome people from all walks of life to invest and do business in the municipality.
“The dream is to position Effutu as the best place to live, the best place to work and the best place to visit for tourism and the best place to Invest and to do business in Ghana”
The conference was under the theme “Actualizing the Effutu Dream; the role of Effutu youth”
The conference drew dignitaries from many parts of the region including the Central Regional Youth Organizer, chiefs and people from the various towns and villages in and around Effutu.
Member of Parliament for the Efutu, Alexander Afenyo Markin, has questioned the decision by the governing council of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) to reinstate only three of the lecturers who were sacked.
According to him, the council was being selective in the implementation of the consensus reached between stakeholders at a meeting to resolve the impasse that resulted in the closure of the school on March 14.
The MP told journalists Friday that the stakeholder meeting agreed that all lecturers who were either dismissed or demoted be reinstated, and others compensated in addition.
But the council in April 3 reinstated only Prof. Ephraim Avea Nsoh, Principal of the College of Languages Education at Ajumako, Dr. Frimpong Kaakyire Duku, local President of the UTAG and Dr. Emmanuel Osei Sarpong.
Their dismissal sparked series of protests which turned violent on March 14 when police fired teargas and warning shots to disperse the students who were pushing for their lecturers to be reinstated
Several properties of the university were destroyed, causing the Central Regional Security Council to announce the closure of the Ajumako and Winneba campuses of the school to protect lives and properties.
UTAG had said at least 24 staff in various categories have been dismissed by the council.
A statement issued on April 3 by the governing council to announce the reinstatement of the three officers described the decision as reconciliatory, and that the three have been pardoned for their offences based on which they were sacked.
But Mr Afenyo-Markin has expressed surprise that the agreement reached was not being implemented fully.
“So far, the three who have been reinstated, as far as I know, that was not the advice, the consensus we all reached… The general understanding we all had was that all those who were affected will be reinstatedâ€, he said.
“The three that was reinstated was not in accord with the consensus we all reachedâ€, he reiterated.
He is thus demanding that what was agreed at the stakeholder meeting is implemented to the letter by reinstating all affected lecturers.
