Professor Kofi Agyekum, a Linguistics professor at the University of Ghana known popularly as Opanyin Agyekum, has expressed concern over the frequent controversies in Ghana’s 8th Parliament, calling it discouraging.
Speaking on Peace FM’s Kookrokoo programme monitored by Opemsuo Radio on October 24, 2024, Prof. Agyekum observed that the 8th Parliament has passed less legislation compared to the 7th Parliament, with members instead often engaging in needless disputes.
He echoed sentiments of the First Deputy Speaker, Joe Osei Owusu, highlighting the playful antics and frequent arguments among MPs, which he believes detract from legislative productivity.
Prof. Agyekum also touched on the debate around the four vacant seats in Parliament, arguing that discussions over these seats, with the affected MPs focused on upcoming elections, were unnecessary distractions.
It will be recalled that Speaker Alban Bagbin declared the seats of four MPs vacant based on their intentions to contest as independent candidates.
However, the Supreme Court granted Afenyo-Markin’s request for a temporary injunction, allowing the MPs to retain their seats until a final judgment is reached.
As of 8 am on October 22, 2024, some members of the two sides of Parliament were already present at the premises of the Accra International Conference Centre which is being used as the interim meeting place for legislators ready to enter into the chamber to take their seats.
Each side claimed the majority status in the House, with both NDC members and NPP members occupying seats designated for the majority, while the minority seats remained empty.
This led Speaker Bagbin to indefinitely adjourn Parliament.
Source:opemsuo.com