We need negotiated settlement to resolve standoff in Parliament - Dominic Ayine

The Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East, Dominic Ayine has suggested a negotiated settlement to resolve the current standoff in Parliament. 

Speaking to TV3 on Tuesday, 22 October 2024, after Parliament was adjourned indefinitely, Dr Ayine highlighted the need for compromise between the NPP and NDC to restore parliamentary activity.

Dr Ayine stressed the importance of open dialogue, saying, “We don’t need to have a zero-sum game approach to the conduct of our politics. There should be room for negotiation.” 

He recalled a past example when, as Deputy Attorney General, he worked with the then-majority leader Alban K.S Bagbin to reach a consensus on the Right to Information Bill, despite opposition.

Parliament’s indefinite adjournment follows Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant under Article 97 of the Constitution which led to a legal challenge from Alexander Afenyo-Markin, leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus.

The Supreme Court subsequently issued an order to pause the Speaker’s decision, effectively halting the action on the vacant seats. 

Despite this, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), claiming a majority in Parliament, has remained determined to assert their status with many NDC MPs taking seats on the right-hand side of the Speaker, traditionally the majority side, while the NPP stayed a good walk out.

Dr Ayine argued that the parties should avoid taking rigid positions and instead aim for a negotiated settlement. “There is a process of give and take,” he said, suggesting that it was better to focus on areas of agreement while temporarily setting aside more divisive matters.

Dr Ayine also addressed previous statements he made about obeying court orders. He clarified that although he initially suggested the Speaker could seek to overturn the court’s order, he now supports Parliament’s decision to assert its independence.

“I am standing with my caucus on the political decision that we have taken,” he said.