By Edzorna Francis Mensah
“Accordingly, I proceed to inform the House that by the notification of the polls, the following Members of Parliament have, by their actions, vacated their seats in Parliament.”
The Members are: (1) Hon. Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah, NDC MP for Amenfi Central in the Western Region, now referred to as an Independent Parliamentary Candidate for the constituency; (2) Hon. Andrew Amoako Asiamah, Independent member for Fomena Constituency in the Ashanti Region, now referred to as NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the constituency; (3) Hon. Kwadjo Asante, NPP MP for Suhum in the Eastern Region, now referred to as an Independent Candidate for the same constituency; and (4) Hon. Cynthia Mamle Morrison, NPP MP for Agona West Constituency in the Central Region, now referred to as an Independent Candidate for the same constituency.
These are the words of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, in a ruling many political pundits have described as sound and cogent, aligning with constitutional provisions.
In this landmark ruling concerning potential breaches of Article 97(1)(g) and (h) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic, Speaker Bagbin noted that these articles serve to prevent what was historically referred to as “cross-carpeting” or “carpet-crossing,” a phenomenon witnessed in the early Legislative Councils and Parliaments of the Gold Coast and the Republic of Ghana.
He stated that the concept of defection raises significant concerns about the integrity of political representation. When voters elect a candidate, they do so not only based on the individual’s personal qualities but also on the political party platform they represent. Party-switching or defection, therefore, can be seen as a breach of the mandate and social contract between the MP and the electorate, as it alters the political dynamics the voters initially endorsed.
Mr. Speaker further argued that “the provisions of Article 97(1)(g) and (h) are designed to safeguard the principles of party loyalty, voter representation, and political stability. Defection is prohibited because it undermines the trust placed in MPs by their constituents and can lead to instability in Parliament. These constitutional safeguards ensure that Members of Parliament remain accountable to both their parties and the electorate, preventing MPs from engaging in behavior that could amount to fraud or disrupt the functioning of Parliament.”
“The prohibition of defection, as reflected in Article 97(1)(g) and (h), serves several critical purposes in maintaining the integrity of Parliament, preserving the credibility of parliamentarians, and protecting the trust and will of the people,” he reiterated.
