By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ghana’s parliament have vowed to carry out the ruling by the Speaker of Parliament concerning the declaration of four vacant seats.
According to the then Minority Leader turned Majority Leader overnight, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, he and his charges don’t take instructions or directives from the Chief Justice (CJ) nor any person on the Supreme Court (SC) bench.
“Members of Parliament (MPs) don’t take instructions from the CJ or any of her assignees. We take instructions and directives from the Speaker,” he reiterated forcefully.
Dr. Ato Forson stated categorically that his side will protect its new Majority status when Parliament convenes on Tuesday.
The significant shift in the configuration of Ghana’s 8th Parliament follows the Speaker of Parliament’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant on Thursday, October 17, 2024.
The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, declared the seats vacant on the grounds that the four affected MPs had defected by filing to contest the 2024 parliamentary elections on tickets different from the ones they represent in the current Parliament.
The four embattled MPs are the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) MP for Agona West, Madam Cynthia Maaley Morrison; Suhum MP, Kwadwo Asante (NPP); Amenfi Central MP, Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah (NDC); and Fomena MP, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, an independent MP.
Addressing the media at the Job 600 office complex on Sunday, October 20, 2024, Dr. Ato Forson, the new Majority Leader, emphasised the constitutional backing of Speaker Bagbin’s ruling.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Speaker’s decision to declare the four seats vacant is a lawful and sound exercise of his responsibility in accordance with the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament,” he stressed.
The newly formed Majority leader affirmed the implications of the Speaker’s declaration, which has left the NPP with 135 members and the NDC with 136 members, while also rendering Parliament without a 2nd Deputy Speaker.
Dr. Forson emphasised the gravity of this change, adding, “The NPP group in Parliament are now the Minority Caucus as defined by the relevant section of Order (6) of our Standing Orders.
The NDC MPs now constitute the Majority Caucus, in line with the Standing Orders of Parliament.”
The newly declared Majority Leader reassured Ghanaians of the NDC’s commitment to using its new majority to advance policies that address the concerns of ordinary citizens.
“We will jealously protect our new majority status and will not bow, retreat, nor surrender our lawfully earned status,” he declared.
Dr. Ato Forson further stated that the NDC would use its numbers to “remove the betting tax and other nuisance taxes” imposed by the ruling government, which he described as creating a “high tax regime” that is hurting businesses and Ghanaians.
The NDC leadership also pledged strong support for Speaker Alban Bagbin, describing him as a ‘courageous and resolute leader’ with an ‘unprecedented 32-year career in the Parliament of Ghana.’
He is of the view that the Speaker acted ‘fairly, firmly, and lawfully’ in his decision to vacate the four seats, adding that any interference with Parliament’s business would be resisted.
“We stand with him, pledge our full support, and urge him to protect the dignity and sanctity of the Parliament of Ghana,” he added.
Dr. Ato Forson also used the opportunity to urge Ghanaians to ‘resist any oppressor’s rule’ and to stand by the Speaker.
“The opportune time has come, and we are determined to immediately commence the process of reversing the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia mess and put our country back on track.
The people of Ghana can count on us and be rest assured that the NDC majority will protect their interest,” he retorted.
