- "I don’t see any controversy arising out of who is sitting where and all that. My understanding is that we have been urged to be punctual, and our first timers have resolved to seeing to punctuality and ensuring that they take their parliamentary work serious."
Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, MP for Effutu Constituency, has said decision by New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs to storm Parliament as early as 4am Friday was to adhere to the rule of being punctual.
Speaking in an interview with Kojo Mensah on The Asaase Breakfast Show, the deputy leader of the Majority Caucus in Parliament said there is nothing wrong with the action.
“I don’t see any controversy arising out of who is sitting where and all that. My understanding is that we have been urged to be punctual, and our first timers have resolved to seeing to punctuality and ensuring that they take their parliamentary work serious,” Afenyo-Markin said.
He added: “Today is our first day of regular sitting and I am pretty sure as you may be aware our colleagues have gotten to the chamber ahead of time to acclimatise themselves, to read their papers, fraternise and prepare for today’s activities and I should think that is in order.”
Pictures of NPP MPs arriving in the chamber at dawn to occupy the majority side are viral on social media. Both sides are claiming majority in Parliament and the Speaker is expected to vote on the issue today.
Earlier Drama
Drama unfolded on 6 January in Parliament in the lead-up to the dissolution of the seventh parliament at midnight as National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs occupy the Majority seats in the chamber.
According to the rules of the lawmaking body, the Minority sits on the left-hand side of the Speaker’s chair while the Majority occupies the right.
However, as the House is dissolved following the 7 December election, the largest opposition party in Ghana has invaded the majority section, arguing there is no majority in Parliament now, as both parties have secured 137 seats each.
Fred Dzakpata
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