Alexander Akwasi Acquah, the Member of Parliament for the Akim Oda constituency
Alexander Akwasi Acquah, the Member of Parliament for the Akim Oda constituency, has levelled serious accusations against Speaker Alban Bagbin, labelling him as autocratic and undemocratic.
The lawmaker claims the Speaker has transformed Parliament into an arena used primarily to execute the agenda of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to Acquah, the NDC side has misused its numerical strength to abuse power and intimidate the Minority caucus.
Addressing the Speaker’s conduct, the MP suggested that public sentiment aligns with his critique. “From the perspective of Ghanaians who voted for their MPs, they will certainly point out that the Speaker has not been fair,” he stated.
“He is a member of the NDC, he was brought in by the NDC, and he has done things to favour his party. He has pretended to be impartial but has been partial.”
The OSP and the Private Member’s Bill
Acquah asserted that Speaker Bagbin’s previous commentary regarding the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) emboldened NDC MPs, specifically Mahama Ayariga and Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, to submit a Private Member’s Bill seeking to scrap the office.
He noted that the bill might have moved forward if not for the intervention of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). Their opposition ultimately led the President to advise the proponents to withdraw the bill, as it threatened to undermine the government’s anti-corruption efforts.
Speaking on the programme As It Is in Ghana on Rainbow Radio, the MP highlighted what he viewed as a double standard in the Speaker’s leadership. He specifically pointed to the Speaker’s silence regarding recent criticisms of the judiciary.
He recalled the Speaker’s previous remarks urging the House to empathise with the judiciary and provide only constructive criticism.
Acquah found it “strange” that the Speaker refused to defend Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo against recent political attacks, despite having previously cautioned the House against “publicly running at” the judiciary.
The MP also expressed disapproval over the management of the Kpandai seat saga, accusing the Speaker and the NDC side of attempting to deprive constituents of their representation.
The Akim Oda MP stressed that democracy is a shared responsibility.
He argued that regardless of seat numbers, no side should abuse power or undermine the rule of law to push through initiatives that do not benefit the Ghanaian people.
According to the Member of Parliament during the eighth Parliament, the NDC caucus, with the support of the Speaker, frustrated the government of former President Akufo-Addo, making it extremely challenging for him to perform his duties.
“The opposition NDC at the time, with their 137 members, garnered support from the Speaker and hindered our progress, undermining the then-government, and it seemed as though they were the ruling party. It appears that Ghanaian votes have become different now that they have secured over 180 seats.”