Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has said that, in his opinion, he thinks Ghana needs a strong third force political party.
Speaker Bagbin argued that the country’s democracy would be strengthened by broader political competition with the emergence of a third strong political force in Ghana.
According to Speaker Bagbin, he is concerned about Ghana’s political space, which has increasingly narrowed to two dominant parties.
Alban Bagbin recounted Ghana’s political journey since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, recalling the NDC’s first congress in Cape Coast, adding that he even attended the congresses of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) upon invitation.
Speaking at a Political Inclusion and Consensus Building Forum organised by the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) on Wednesday, February 18, Speaker Bagbin stated, “Now, we seem to have only two strong, vibrant, surviving parties,” he said. “For me, I think we need a third force.”
Also, at the event, Alban Bagbin expressed dissatisfaction that none of the political parties contesting the upcoming Ayawaso East by-election has fielded a female candidate.
He asserted that female representation must begin at the party level before it reflects in Parliament.
Speaker Bagbin added, “Political parties are the gateways to representation. Parliament is the arena where representation becomes decision-making. Therefore, inclusion must begin in parties and mature in Parliament”.
“I was waiting for any party to have fielded a female candidate in the Ayawaso East by-election. I will personally support the candidate because we need more of our women in Parliament. Unfortunately, the parties have disappointed me,” he stated.
In related news, the spokesperson for the defeated New Patriotic Party (NPP), presidential hopeful Ken Agyapong, Kwasi Kwarteng, has debunked reports claiming his boss has broken away from the party.
According to Kwasi Kwarteng, Ken Agyapong has not and will not break away from the NPP.
In a post shared on social media, Kwasi Kwarteng wrote, “ Hon Ken Ohene Agyapong has not and will not break away from the New Patriotic Party (NPP: Development in freedom)”.
His post follows an alleged post by Lawson TV, which claimed Ken Agyapong has decided to break away from the NPP to contest in the 2028 election.
Lawson TV post shared on social media stated, “Hon Kennedy Agyapong breaks away from the NPP and set to contest in 2028 elections”.
Additionally, Kwasi Kwarteng detailed that Ken Agyapong’s commitment to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is unshaken, unbroken.
According to Kwasi Kwarteng, the NPP members and the general public should allow Ken Agyapong some time to reflect following the party’s recent presidential primary.
He noted that Ken is also a human and, for a whole year, was accused of having orchestrated the party’s 2024 defeat with his comments.
Speaking to Citi News, Kwasi Kwarteng explained, “He is still a member of the NPP. He has not and will not break away from the NPP. In relation to his absence yesterday at the event, he was out of town. His commitment to the party remains unshaken, unbroken, unresolved and will still remain high”.
“I think out of respect, we should give people moments to also reflect. I mean, it can’t be said that for a whole one year, one person is accused of having orchestrated the party’s 2024 defeat and that his comments are so sour and that he has been insulting women and all manner of accusations”.
“He is a human being, he has his low moments and his high moments. I think after such a tense contest like this with accusations, we should give people at least some room to reflect,” Kwasi Kwarteng added.