Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has indefinitely adjourned parliamentary proceedings following a tumultuous session on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. The decision comes amidst growing tension between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) over which caucus holds the majority in the chamber.
Bagbin’s announcement was made after receiving a communication from the Supreme Court, directing him to stay his previous ruling that declared four parliamentary seats vacant. However, the Speaker provided no further details, leaving many MPs and the public in suspense about the full implications of the Court’s order.
During the session, Bagbin cited the lack of quorum as the reason for adjournment, stating that the chamber did not have at least half of all MPs present. The absence of NPP MPs, who had vacated the chamber earlier due to disagreements over the majority designation, further escalated the situation.
The indefinite adjournment follows a Supreme Court intervention on the Speaker’s October 17 ruling, which left four parliamentary seats—two from the NPP, one from the NDC, and one independent—vacant. This development has intensified the political tension surrounding the balance of power in Parliament.
The affected constituencies include Agona West (Cynthia Morrison), Fomena (Andrew Asiamah), Suhum (Kwadjo Asante), and Amenfi Central (Peter Kwakye Ackah).
With the House adjourned sine die, both political sides await further clarity on the parliamentary composition and the legal dispute over the vacant seats. Bagbin’s decision has added to the ongoing uncertainty regarding the future of parliamentary proceedings in Ghana.
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Supreme Court Halts Speaker’s Ruling on Vacant Parliamentary Seats
“We Will Fiercely Protect Our New Majority Status” – Ato Forson
Afenyo-Markin Urges Speaker Bagbin to Respect Supreme Court’s Stay of Execution Ruling
