The Leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Caucus, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has assured that his side of the House will soon engage with Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin following the indefinite adjournment of Parliament.
The Speaker attributed the adjournment to a lack of business and the absence of the NPP Caucus in the Chamber.
This adjournment follows a request from the NPP Caucus for Parliament to be recalled, with the first request submitted on October 22 and the second on October 24, 2024. Both were made under Article 112(3) of the Constitution and Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.
Speaking to the press outside the Parliamentary Chamber, Afenyo-Markin expressed the NPP’s intent to engage with Speaker Bagbin soon. “We look forward to engaging with the speaker in the next few hours or days. We pray that he does the needful,” he said, emphasising their reliance on the law to ensure proper procedures are followed.
He also called for an end to partisan politics in the Chamber, urging that Parliament should focus on nation-building without political manipulation. “Parliament is a chamber for decent people, tolerant Democrats, and those dedicated to the country’s progress,” Afenyo-Markin added.
The adjournment follows ongoing disagreements over the seating arrangements and political affiliations of several Members of Parliament (MPs).
Afenyo-Markin raised concerns over the seating shift of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus to the NPP’s side of the Chamber, questioning why they moved to the right-hand side of the Speaker, which is traditionally reserved for the NPP.
Further, Afenyo-Markin warned that failure to resolve the impasse could delay crucial government business, including the approval of the 2025 budget, which could impact national development.
He also raised alarms that the NDC’s actions could obstruct the passage of major bills, such as the Free Senior High School Bill, which would affect parents across the country.
The root of the ongoing dispute lies in Speaker Bagbin’s October 17, 2024, declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant due to breaches of Article 97(1)(g) and (h) of the 1992 Constitution.
These seats include Amenfi Central, Fomena, Agona West, and Suhum Constituencies, where MPs had filed with the Electoral Commission (EC) to contest the upcoming 2024 elections as independent candidates, violating the terms of their initial party affiliation.
The affected MPs are:
Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah (Amenfi Central, NDC, now independent),
Andrews Amoako Asiamah (Fomena, Independent, now NPP),
Kwadjo Asante (Suhum, NPP, now independent),
Cynthia Mamle Morrison (Agona West, NPP, now independent).
The Speaker’s ruling was challenged by the affected MPs and the NPP Caucus, but the Supreme Court ruled on October 18, 2024, to set aside the Speaker’s decision, allowing the MPs to participate in House activities until a final ruling is made. The court will reconvene on November 11, 2024, to deliver its judgement on the matter.
The ruling of the Supreme Court, if upheld, will have significant implications for the current parliamentary majority, which stands at 136 MPs for the NDC and 135 MPs for the NPP.