Parliamentary 'Turf War': Intervene to Bring Order in Parliament - Atik Calls on Ex-Prez Kufour, Chief Imam
Atik Mohammed has appealed to Ex-President John Agyekum Kufour to intervene in the current brouhaha in Parliament involving the Majority and Minority.
Following the declaration of some seats in Parliament as vacant by the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, the Minority has claimed majority position while the leadership of the Majority Caucus also insist they have not lost their position.
The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin petitioned the Supreme Court regarding the litigation and the court ruled to stay the Speaker's decision but the Speaker has rejected the Supreme Court writ to be given to him, citing he has constitutional immunity.
In a letter addressed to the Supreme Court, the Speaker’s office noted; "The attached processes which were left at the Legal Services Office of the Parliamentary Service by three bailiffs of the Court on Wednesday, 16th October 2024, are hereby returned."
"The Rt. Hon. Speaker has directed the return of the attached processes for your necessary action", the letter concluded.
The Minority remains adamant in their decision not to allow the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament to occupy the majority chamber.
Parliament was suspended indefinitely on Tuesday, October 22, the Speaker announced after the Majority boycotted the House to avoid violent confrontation with the Minority Caucus.
Commenting on the matter during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, Atik Mohammed labeled the current happenings in Parliament as a "turf war" and called on former President Kufour, the Chief Imam as well as the Clergy to intervene to bring the House to order.
"We have Statesmen in this country. Former President Kufour, His Excellency, he is one of the most respected Statesmen we have in this country. Both sides respect him a lot...It's about time we called the Speaker and the leadership of Parliament to a roundtable with these people around," he stated.
Atik, a former PNC General Secretary, admonished the MPs to "find a way to resolve this impasse. It is not in the interest of Ghana. It is not interest of Parliament. It doesn't enhance the image of Parliament".