Speaker to Deliver Ruling on Vacancy of Four Parliamentary Seats Amid Legal Dispute

Accra: Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin announced his decision to deliver a reasoned ruling on the request by Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader, to declare four Parliamentary seats vacant following a heated debate in the House. According to Ghana News Agency, the debate involved intense exchanges between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Minority and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Majority. The Minority Leader, Dr Forson, argued that four Members of Parliament had violated Article 97(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates MPs to vacate their seats if they leave their party to join another or seek to remain in Parliament as independent members. The MPs in question include Mr Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah from Amenfi Central and Mr Andrew Amoako Asiamah from Fomena, both of whom are contesting upcoming polls as independent candidates, alongside Madam Cynthia Mamle Morrison from Agona West and Mr Kwadjo Asante from Suhum. The Minority Leader highlighted a pre cedent involving Mr Asiamah, who was declared to have vacated his seat in 2020 when he chose to run as an independent while still an NPP MP. This ruling by the then Speaker, Professor Aaron Mike Ocquaye, was not contested and is cited as a foundational decision. In contrast, Mr Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader, contended that the current situation lacked a formal petition from any political party, which he argued was necessary to consider the seats vacant. He emphasized the legal implications of the issue, noting that it was a significant matter for parliamentary and judicial consideration. The Speaker, in his remarks, acknowledged the complexity of the issues raised, both procedural and substantive, and expressed his intention to take time to deliver a fair and well-considered ruling. He also referenced a petition by Mr Haruna Iddrisu, another NDC MP, which called for judicial guidance on the matter, highlighting the ongoing legal processes surrounding the issue. Speaker Bagbin conclud ed by promising a thorough and just resolution to ensure the principles of fairness and legality are upheld in the Parliament.