The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s press conference ahead of the opening of parliamentary business for the new year has been described as “much ado about nothing” and an assault on Ghana’s democratic principles.
The Minority used the platform to raise concerns about what it described as the Majority’s abuse of parliamentary procedures, particularly the use of Certificates of Emergency. It also accused the Speaker of Parliament, who oversees parliamentary business, of deliberately placing roadblocks in the work of Parliament.
Additionally, the Minority’s attack on the Chief Justice was described as unfortunate, embarrassing, and a direct undermining of the constitutional structure and the role of Parliament. Critics argue that these actions amount to diversionary tactics meant to shift attention from both internal and external cracks within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), especially as the party heads into its flagbearer contest scheduled for January 31.
These views were expressed by Hon. Sulemana Adama, Member of Parliament for Tain and Deputy Ranking Member on the Budget Committee, as well as a member of the Communication and Information Committee of Parliament. He made these remarks during an interview on Adekyee Mu Nsem, a morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM in Accra, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu.
According to Hon. Adama, Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin is treading on a dangerous political path and appears to be building unnecessary political capital around himself. He suggested that this may be due to fears of losing his minority leadership position after the NPP flagbearer contest.
He further criticized Afenyo-Markin’s leadership over the past two years, stating that it has diminished the party’s image. Hon. Adama accused him of staging controversies in Parliament, particularly involving the courts, bills, and the repeated abuse of Certificates of Emergency.
Touching on the NPP flagbearer race, Hon. Adama asserted that none of the five aspirants is fit to occupy the presidency. He argued that all five candidates have failed the credibility test, describing them as untrustworthy.
In a related development, the Minority in Parliament has raised concerns about the ongoing engagements by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, questioning the purpose and timing of his visits to key state institutions, including the Ghana Police Service and Parliament.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing on Monday, January 26, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin suggested that the Chief Justice’s movements give the impression of a “thank-you tour” following his appointment.
“And by the way, we have seen that My Lord Baffoe-Bonnie and his management are visiting various ministries, including Jubilee House,” he said.
“Is he on a thank-you tour? Is My Lord Baffoe-Bonnie thanking the government for appointing him as Chief Justice?”
Mr. Afenyo-Markin revealed that the Minority had also been informed of the Chief Justice’s planned visit to Parliament but said they would not participate.
“We, the Minority, do not see him as a tolerant head of the judiciary. Members of the Minority were attacked when we criticized the processes leading to his nomination,” he stated.
For this reason, he said, the Minority would boycott what he described as a “thank-you talk.”
“We will therefore not be part of his thank-you talk. If he wants to engage us, our offices are open. He should come and engage us, and we will let him know the things we find wrong,” he added.
The Minority Leader further accused the government of undermining Ghana’s credibility through its domestic actions.
“A government that tolerates opaque law-making schemes orchestrated by the Central Bank, turns prosecution into a political weapon, attacks judicial independence by unconstitutionally removing a Chief Justice, and allows the ongoing destruction of our rivers, is steadily destroying the very credibility it seeks to display abroad,” he said.
In recent weeks, Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has embarked on a series of courtesy and institutional visits. He paid a courtesy call on Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang in Accra, where he briefed her on the judiciary’s achievements and priority initiatives, including efforts to decongest courts and expand Alternative Dispute Resolution services.
He also met with the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, in a courtesy call aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Judiciary and the Finance Ministry. During the meeting, the Chief Justice raised concerns about court congestion and the need for improved working conditions within the judiciary.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie further visited the Ministry of Education to discuss areas of cooperation between the judiciary and the education sector, particularly in strengthening legal education and civic responsibility.
On Monday, the Chief Justice began another round of institutional visits to key state bodies, including the Ghana Police Service and Parliament, as part of efforts to enhance collaboration and coordination across Ghana’s justice and governance architecture.
However, the Minority has characterized these engagements as a “thank-you tour,” arguing that they appear politically motivated rather than purely judicial in nature.