NPP and NDC Caucuses Dispute Majority Status in Parliament

ACCRA: The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Caucuses faced off on Tuesday over which party holds the majority in Ghana's Parliament. Both sides claimed the right to occupy the Speaker's right-hand side, traditionally reserved for the majority, during a session at the Accra International Conference Centre. According to Ghana News Agency, the disagreement was fueled by Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin's recent declaration of four Parliamentary seats as vacant due to breaches of Article 97(1)(g) and (h) of the Constitution. This decision initially resulted in the NPP Caucus holding 135 seats and the NDC Caucus holding 136 seats. In response to the dispute, Mr. Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, leader of the NPP Caucus, led his members out of the temporary meeting venue back to their offices, awaiting further instructions from the Speaker. The Supreme Court, however, intervened on Friday, October 19, by overturning the Speaker's ruling. The court directed Sp eaker Bagbin to allow the four affected MPs, comprising one from the NDC, two from the NPP, and one independent aligned with the NPP, to resume participation in parliamentary activities. This decision has complicated the struggle for majority status and left the final determination pending further clarification from parliamentary authorities.