FULL STORY: NPP Loses Majority in Parliament in A ruling by Speaker.

STORY BY; PRINCE ASARE

Speaker Bagbin Declares Four Parliamentary Seats Vacant, Shifting Power in Ghana’s ParliamentIn a landmark ruling on October 17, Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Bagbin has declared four parliamentary seats vacant, significantly reshaping the political landscape just weeks before the upcoming December elections. This decision transitions Ghana from a hung parliament, where the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) maintained a slim majority, to a more robust position for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The ruling impacts the distribution of seats in Parliament, with the NDC now holding 136 seats compared to the NPP’s 135. Previously, the NPP had 138 seats and the NDC 137. The MPs whose seats have been vacated include Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah of the NDC from Amenfi Central, Andrew Amoakoh Asiamah of Fomena, Kojo Asante of the NPP from Suhum, and Cynthia Morrison of the NPP from Agona West.

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In delivering his ruling, Speaker Bagbin referenced Article 97(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates that an MP must vacate their seat if they leave the political party under which they were elected or if they intend to serve as an independent candidate. He underscored the importance of this provision in ensuring the integrity of parliamentary representation.

The Speaker also noted that the precedent set by former Speaker Prof. Mike Oquaye, who expelled Asiamah from Parliament after he declared his independent status, does not apply to his current ruling. Bagbin argued that had the Article only been relevant for future parliaments, it would have been unnecessary for it to exist at all. He stated that once the notice of polls confirmed the independent status of the four MPs, they could no longer justifiably remain in their positions.

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This ruling came after a formal petition submitted by NDC MP Haruna Iddrisu, which prompted extensive discussions and arguments from both the Majority and Minority sides of the House. The petition specifically targeted three NPP MPs and one from the NDC, invoking the aforementioned constitutional provision.

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The implications of this ruling are far-reaching, as it not only alters the immediate power dynamics within Parliament but also sets a precedent for how similar situations may be handled in the future. The NDC’s newfound majority provides them with greater influence as Ghana approaches a critical election period, heightening the stakes for all political parties involved.

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As the nation prepares for the upcoming elections, the ramifications of this ruling will likely be a focal point of political discourse, influencing strategies and voter sentiment as parties mobilize their supporters. This moment underscores the ongoing tensions and competitive nature of Ghana’s political landscape, as both the NDC and NPP gear up for what promises to be a pivotal electoral battle.

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