The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been declared as the majority in parliament just two months away from the general election.
The declaration was made of Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin on October 17, 2023.
Alban Sumana Bagbin officially declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
The MPs affected are NDC’s Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah of Amenfi Central, Andrew Amoakoh Asiama of Fomena, Hon. Kojo Asante, NPP MP for Suhum in the Eastern Region, and NPP’s Cynthia Morrison of Agona West
The Minority in Parliament earlier this week raised concerns over the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) continued claim as the Majority Caucus, arguing that recent independent candidacies have undermined their numerical advantage. On October 15, 2024, Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson highlighted that four MPs, including three from the NPP and one from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have filed to contest the upcoming general elections as independent candidates, which he argues disqualifies them from holding their seats.
Dr. Forson referenced Article 97(g) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates that any MP who leaves their party to run as an independent must vacate their seat in Parliament. He also cited a 2020 precedent, when the Fomena MP’s seat was declared vacant after he chose to contest as an independent candidate following a dispute in the party primaries.
Addressing the Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Forson emphasized that this ruling should apply equally to the four MPs in question: Hon. Peter Kwakye Akwah, Hon. Andrew Amoako Asiamah, Hon. Cynthia Mamle Morrison, and Hon. Kwajo Asante. He argued that the NPP’s numerical strength in Parliament has been reduced, with the party now holding only 135 seats, while the NDC retains 136 members.
“Mr. Speaker, the NPP has lost its majority status. These members must vacate their seats in accordance with the Constitution,” Dr. Forson stated. He urged the Speaker to uphold the rule, effectively ending the NPP’s majority claim as Parliament heads into a critical period before the 2024 elections.
This controversy stems from earlier moves by some NPP MPs, including the MP for Fomena, to contest as independents after internal party disputes. The NDC, now holding a slight edge in numbers, is pressing for the enforcement of the constitutional provision, which could significantly shift the balance of power in the final months of the current Parliament.
