The Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has clarified that caucuses in the House cannot appoint their leaders, independent of the sponsoring parties.

According to him, MPs are in the House on the ticket of political parties, therefore, it is not proper for legislators to appoint leaders without the parties’ input.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on February 21, he argued that legislators were constantly changed, some of whom were either in their first, second, or third term, therefore, they [MPs] cannot by themselves choose who is best suited to occupy such leadership positions.

“If as a new House, you barely even know each other, and then you are asked to go and appoint your leader without your party, how are you going to do it?

“A party that has given you the platform to come to this House. You come on the ticket of the party and to appoint your leader, the party must lead that process. I don’t know how you can do it without the party, “ he insisted.

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He continued “If you had to do that, please, you know at this stage of our parties, this will be controlled by some interest.

"But there are constitutional provisions including legislative provisions that bind parties and compel parties to be national in character, and so the face of the party which is usually the leadership of the caucus must have a national character. 

“If you leave it to the caucus alone, we are likely to face challenges. So I am not really in support of interpretations talking about the members of the caucus that should be designated.

"It is not talking about the elect. The members of the caucus should appoint the leader or leaders of the caucus and so it is a matter that I will come out with a written reason for this House.” 

His comments follow some majority MPs, led by the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu suggesting that no one outside Parliament can change the leadership of the majority caucus.

Mr Osei-Owusu made these comments on February 20,  following rumours of a potential reshuffle of the leadership of the Majority caucus, with the suggestion that the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, was to be replaced by his Deputy, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.