The Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has reaffirmed his caucus’s determination to defend their parliamentary majority despite a Supreme Court ruling that temporarily halts a decision by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.
This decision comes after Speaker Bagbin declared four parliamentary seats vacant on Thursday, October 17, due to three sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) announcing their intention to contest the 2024 general elections as independent candidates, and the Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, stating his plan to contest the upcoming elections under the banner of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) [1).
The Speaker’s declaration would have shifted the balance of power in Parliament, granting the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus a slight edge, with 136 MPs compared to the NPP’s 135.
This shift in numbers could have tipped the scales in favour of the NDC, making them the majority in the House.
However, the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision ruled to stay the execution of Speaker Bagbin’s declaration, preventing the immediate vacancy of the seats and maintaining the current parliamentary numbers.
At a press conference on Sunday, October 20, Dr. Ato Forson made it clear that the Minority Caucus is resolute in defending what they see as their rightful majority.
He stated that his team would “jealously guard” their position and expressed their unwillingness to back down or relent in their pursuit of what they believe is a fair representation in Parliament.
Dr. Forson argued that the Speaker’s declaration changed the parliamentary dynamics, making the NPP the minority caucus and the NDC MPs now constitute the majority caucus in the 8th Parliament.
He emphasized that they would protect their new majority status and not surrender their lawfully earned position. Additionally, Dr. Forson criticized the Supreme Court’s intervention, questioning the balance of power between the branches of government.
He believes the judiciary’s involvement in parliamentary affairs raises concerns about the independence of Parliament. The controversy highlights the intense political climate in Ghana, especially with the general elections scheduled for December 7, 2024.
The NDC had petitioned the Speaker to declare the seats vacant, citing Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution, which requires lawmakers to vacate their seats if they leave the party they were elected under or attempt to remain in Parliament as independent candidates
