The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has responded to criticisms from some Members of Parliament regarding his decision to adjourn the House indefinitely on November 7 2024, after an earlier one on October 22.

The NPP caucus leader in Parliament and MP for the Effutu constituency, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, sharply criticized Speaker Bagbin’s decision, describing it as detrimental to parliamentary order and democracy.

The Speaker’s decision to adjourn was prompted by the absence of the Majority MPs, who failed to attend the recall session initiated by their own caucus. Additionally, the lack of an Order Paper, caused by the failure of the Business Committee to meet, rendered the House unable to transact business.

Addressing the media, Alexander Afenyo-Markin accused the Speaker of fostering chaos and undermining Ghana’s democratic integrity.

“What Mr. Speaker did today amounts to supervising chaos and bringing the image of our democracy into disrepute. The NDC minority members were all over, claiming that we, the Majority, did not attend a so-called Business Committee meeting that they called. Clearly, the NDC is on a warpath. They want confusion in this country. They want lawlessness in this country. And all of this is being supervised by Mr. Speaker. It is sad.”

However, commenting on the issue on Monday, December 16, 2024—the first sitting of the House after the December 7 general elections—the Speaker expressed disappointment at the criticisms, suggesting that those condemning his actions need further education.

"Those who believe I erred in my ruling may need to be taken to school. I am not sure they read the ruling very well, and that ruling worked in their favour. Honourable Majority Leader, it actually worked in your favour. For you to come here and try to impugn that ruling, I was truly surprised. The public is listening to us and could be misled. I gave about three reasons for my decision, and I am sure you did not pay attention to the third reason why I adjourned the meeting indefinitely.

"I listened to some of you debate this matter on air, and I thought you should have been commending me for adjourning it, but instead, you were condemning me. It saddened me, but I understand the arena we are in, so I have taken it in my stride."

The Speaker also emphasized the need for further training for MPs to enhance their understanding of parliamentary procedures.

"As we go along, we will have to deepen the orientation and training of Members of Parliament so that the public does not become confused by you, the leaders who should know better, but instead end up misleading them."

Post-Election Sitting: Those who think I erred in adjourning the house on Oct. 22, 2024 should be taken to school.

– Speaker Alban Bagbin#3NewsGH pic.twitter.com/wdF3qNyY3D

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) December 16, 2024