Parliamentary Showdown: Afenyo-Markin alleges Minority's attempt to disrupt public servants' salary payment

Accra, Ghana - Nov 7, 2024 - Ghana's parliamentary proceedings have hit a snag, with the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, alleging that the Minority caucus is intentionally obstructing the payment of public servants' salaries.

This development comes after Speaker Alban Bagbin indefinitely adjourned the House on November 7, citing a lack of business for lawmakers to deliberate on.

The recall session, initiated by the Majority caucus, aimed to address critical issues but was thwarted by the Majority MPs' absence. Speaker Bagbin expressed disappointment, stating that their absence stalled proceedings. Furthermore, Minority MPs occupied the Majority side of the chamber, forcing Majority MPs to remain outside.

Afenyo-Markin accused the Minority of deliberately obstructing government business and conspiring with the Speaker to prevent key legislation passage, including the Free Senior High School (SHS) bill.

He warned that public servants might not receive their salaries if the impasse persists.

“Their main target is the Free SHS bill, the pre-announcement of laying in Parliament. And you remember how they fought against it. It’s an opportunity for them, as it were to prevent the Free SHS bill from being passed.

“Don’t be swayed by their lies and propaganda. The chaos they started is how they want to end, we will not allow it. Right now, what the NDC [Minority] has done basically is one; They don’t want Ghanaians to receive their pay, as public servants. Because they know that after the elections, there will be no budget.

“To be able to pay workers, there would be a need for approval of the budget in the first quarter of next year [2025]. It’s a constitutional requirement, they want to stampede it.”

Source: Lead News Online