By Ashiadey Dotse
The Minority group in Ghana’s Parliament has taken the seats usually occupied by the Majority, increasing the already tense conflict between them. This action, led by the Minority’s leaders, happened as Parliament returned for an important session on October 22, 2024.
The move has increased tensions between the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), as both sides struggle for control of Parliament amid ongoing legal and political disagreements. The Minority’s decision came after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, declared four seats vacant on October 17, reducing the NPP’s number of seats and shifting the balance of power towards the NDC.
Following the ruling, the NDC had 136 seats, making them the unofficial majority, while the NPP had 135 seats. The vacant seats included two from the NPP, one from the NDC, and an independent member.
However, the Majority quickly opposed the Speaker’s decision, and their leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, took the matter to the Supreme Court. On October 18, the Court temporarily stopped the Speaker’s ruling and allowed the affected MPs to continue their duties until a final decision was made.
This has left the Majority’s position in Parliament uncertain, leading to a struggle for control of the Chamber. The Minority’s action to sit on the Majority’s side is seen as a sign of their newfound advantage. Minority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza said their actions were justified based on the Speaker’s ruling and the current situation in Parliament.
During the session, NDC members took the seats usually used by the NPP, with some Minority leaders sitting alongside the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh. This sparked protests from NPP MPs, who accused the opposition of trying to take over their position without respecting the ongoing legal process.
Frank Annoh-Dompreh, leading the Majority, strongly condemned the Minority’s actions, warning that the Majority would not allow the opposition to take control. Security around Parliament was increased in anticipation of conflicts, with MPs and staff undergoing thorough checks before entering and additional restrictions imposed on access and parking.
This standoff comes at a crucial time as Ghana prepares for the 2024 general elections, with legal and political battles over parliamentary seats creating a tense atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has urged both sides to act calmly and follow legal procedures to resolve the dispute, warning of potential instability.
The legal fight over the vacant seats is likely to heat up in the coming days, with both sides preparing for a long conflict. It remains to be seen whether the Supreme Court’s final decision will resolve the issue or worsen the situation, but the Minority’s bold action has signaled that the struggle for control in Parliament is not over yet.
