On October 17, 2024, the Majority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament staged a dramatic walkout in protest of Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to approve a motion declaring four parliamentary seats vacant. The Speaker’s ruling has intensified tensions within the legislative body, prompting a strong response from Members of Parliament (MPs) from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The walkout, led by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, followed a heated exchange with the Speaker over the motion filed by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu. The motion argued that four MPs who intend to contest the upcoming December 2024 general elections as independent candidates had, by doing so, forfeited their party affiliations. As a result, their parliamentary seats should be considered vacated under the constitutional provisions that govern parliamentary membership.
The four MPs affected by this ruling are Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kojo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central). Their decision to run as independent candidates is seen as a breach of their commitment to the NPP, and the motion contends that this move renders them ineligible to retain their seats in Parliament.
Speaker Bagbin’s approval of the motion, based on the interpretation of the constitutional framework, has been met with fierce opposition from the NPP caucus. The Majority MPs, in response, walked out of the chamber in a show of defiance, underscoring the escalating tension between the leadership of Parliament and the ruling party.
This development marks a significant moment in Ghana’s parliamentary history as it raises important questions about party loyalty, constitutional provisions, and the conduct of MPs seeking re-election. With the December elections looming, the political implications of this decision are expected to reverberate both within Parliament and across the wider political landscape.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com