Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, November 9, he addressed the current stand-off in Parliament, marked by ongoing disagreements between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) factions.

Prof. Agyeman-Duah emphasized that the well-being of Ghana’s democracy should take precedence over individual ambitions or party interests.

He urged MPs to adopt a more collaborative approach, stating, “The interest of the nation should always come first, not partisan or parochial concerns. What is happening in Parliament currently does not serve the Ghanaian people who have placed their trust in their elected representatives.”

According to him, the ongoing impasse is a significant setback for Ghana’s democratic progress, as it undermines both legislative efficiency and public trust in the parliamentary system.

He cautioned that if the current stand-off continues, it could erode Ghana’s reputation as a model of democratic governance in the region, with potential repercussions on national stability and development.

Prof. Agyeman-Duah concluded by appealing directly to MPs to resolve their differences maturely and constructively.

He reminded Parliament that the public expects its leaders to act in a way that fosters progress, noting that Ghana’s democracy is too valuable to be hindered by divisive political squabbles.

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In an interview on JoyNews‘ The Pulse, Prof. Agyeman-Duah expressed relief that the Speaker’s approach averted what could have been a tense standoff, with both the NPP and NDC Caucuses claiming majority status in the House.

The dispute follows the Speaker’s recent declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant and the subsequent stay of that decision by the Supreme Court.

During today’s session, the NDC Caucus occupied the seats of the NPP, while the NPP MPs opted to leave the chamber, retreating to their offices pending further instructions from the Speaker.

Despite having enough members to proceed, Speaker Bagbin acknowledged that there were insufficient numbers to take decisions, leading to the adjournment.

It was on the back of this happening that Prof Agyeman-Duah expressed excitement over how Speaker managed the day in Parliament.

According to him, the Speaker’s decision to first and foremost acknowledge the Supreme Court’s message was good.

He added “he [Speaker] said it without any comments. Which means I am not saying I have rejected it or confronting the Supreme Court or anything of that sort, he simply passed the message to all of us.”

“Then secondly, he went through the agenda, read the minutes of the previous meeting then finally, we came to say that based on certain issues, he is indefinitely suspending Parliament. I think it is a wise decision,” he said.

He explained that the adjournment gives room for reflection, adding that the “Speaker is perhaps also going to do further consultations.”

He further noted, “If we want to be a little bit cynical, we can also say that he has done this but he may not also call back Parliament and in the 3 or 4 weeks, the tenure ends and the matter dies.”

Prof Agyemang-Duah called for political actors to consult each other in this period for the sake of preserving peace in this country.

He asserted that there was no need to act to disrupt the Parliamentary process due to end formally in weeks, adding that “if we allow the misunderstanding to fester without any solution and pass to the next phase, it could be a big disservice to the people of Ghana.”

“So, I am really hoping and praying that the Speaker privately with the President, Chief Justice, or whoever matters must put their heads together and find a way to bring some sanity to our political process.

“I believe strongly that it is only private diplomacy that would solve this.”

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According to him, despite personal disagreements with some of Nkrumah’s domestic policies, Nkrumah’s contributions to Ghana’s development merit full recognition.

In his 2024 Founders’ Day address on Saturday, August 3, President Akufo-Addo firmly rejected the idea that Ghana was founded by a single individual.

The president disagreed with claims that Kwame Nkrumah single-handedly founded Ghana, emphasising the collective efforts of many individuals in the independence struggle.

While acknowledging Nkrumah’s undeniable contribution, he stressed that Nkrumah was not the sole architect of Ghana’s independence.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM show, Professor Agyeman-Duah said, “No matter what you say, Nkrumah stands tall in our politics, and nobody can belittle his accomplishment.

“Even though personally as I speak, there were certain domestic policies that I never liked and still don’t like, but still, even after discounting all those negativities, Nkrumah is a person that deserves the fullest recognition. After all, he (Nkrumah) was the man of the millennium, and that in itself says it all.”

Prof Agyeman-Duah stated that while several people contributed intellectually to the founding of Ghana, it was Kwame Nkrumah alone who shaped the nation’s ideological and emotional aspects.

He emphasised that understanding who founded Ghana requires acknowledging Nkrumah’s ideological and emotional contributions while also recognising the significant role of the UGCC [United Gold Coast Convention].

“After all, they [UGCC] brought Nkrumah; perhaps even if they had not brought him, he was going to come himself. Yet he was brought down to help them achieve independence. How can you take that away?” he quizzed.