Speaker Bagbin Announces Vacancy of Four Ghanaian Parliamentary Seats

Accra: Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has officially declared four seats in the Ghanaian Parliament vacant, citing breaches of the constitutional allegiance to political parties by the affected Members of Parliament. According to Ghana News Agency, the declaration affects the Amenfi Central, Fomena, Agona West, and Suhum constituencies. The Speaker's decision was influenced by Article 97(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates that a parliamentarian must vacate their seat if they switch political parties or attempt to remain in Parliament as an independent member after being elected under a party banner. This Article specifically addresses members who leave their party (clause g) or independent members who join a party (clause h). The Members of Parliament impacted are Mr. Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah from Amenfi Central, Mr. Andrews Asiamah Amoako from Fomena, Mr. Kwadjo Asante from Suhum, and Madam Cynthia Mamle Morrison from Agona West. Each has taken steps indicating plans to contest the upcoming 2 024 parliamentary elections under different political alignments than those under which they were originally elected. The Speaker's announcement follows a formal request by Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader and NDC MP for Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam, who highlighted the issue during a parliamentary session. The matter, brought under Order 93 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, sparked extensive debate both in the House and across the nation. In his ruling, Speaker Bagbin referenced a similar case from 2020 involving Mr. Andrews Asiamah Amoako under former Speaker Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye. The National Patriotic Party (NPP) had then requested the declaration of Mr. Amoako's seat as vacant, which Prof. Oquaye upheld. However, Speaker Bagbin emphasized that each Speaker's ruling is independent and based on the specific circumstances presented. This development alters the parliamentary composition, now tallying 135 MPs for the ruling NPP and 136 for the opposition NDC, thereby affecting the balanc e of power in the legislature.