In a bold move that has further escalated tensions in Ghana’s Parliament, the Minority Caucus, led by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), occupied seats traditionally reserved for the Majority during a highly anticipated parliamentary session on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
This action follows Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s ruling on October 17, which declared four parliamentary seats vacant, reducing the governing New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) numbers and tipping the balance of power in favor of the NDC. As a result, the NDC now holds 136 seats, while the NPP retains 135, prompting the opposition to assert its newfound numerical advantage.
The Majority, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, quickly challenged the Speaker’s ruling by filing an appeal with the Supreme Court. On October 18, the Court stayed the Speaker’s decision and ordered the affected MPs to continue their duties until a final verdict is reached, leaving the status of the Majority in flux.
The Minority’s decision to occupy the Majority’s side of the Chamber is seen as a symbolic gesture of their claim to power based on the Speaker’s ruling. Minority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza defended the action, asserting that it reflected the current composition of Parliament.
NPP MPs reacted with outrage, accusing the opposition of attempting to seize control prematurely, despite the ongoing legal proceedings. Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh voiced strong disapproval, warning that the Majority would not allow the Minority to overstep its bounds.
Security measures in and around Parliament were tightened to prevent clashes, with MPs and staff subjected to rigorous screening and bodyguards barred from entering the Chamber. The public gallery was also restricted, and parking around the Grand Arena was tightly controlled.
As the 2024 general elections approach, the political standoff in Parliament is creating a volatile atmosphere. The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has urged both sides to remain calm and follow legal procedures to resolve the impasse, warning of the risks of political instability.
With the legal battle over the vacant seats ongoing, the confrontation in Parliament is expected to intensify, leaving uncertainty over whether the Supreme Court’s final ruling will restore order or further deepen the divide. For now, the Minority’s occupation of the Majority’s seats signals that the struggle for control is far from over.
