NPP Parliamentary Caucus to Boycott Parliament Over Speaker’s Ruling on Vacant Seats

Accra: The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Caucus announced it will boycott Parliament sessions until the Supreme Court rules on the recent decision by the Speaker to declare four parliamentary seats vacant. This decision was revealed by Mr Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader, during a press briefing on Thursday. According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Afenyo-Markin expressed strong disagreement with Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin's ruling, which affected the seats for Amenfi Central, Fomena, Agona West, and Suhum constituencies. The ruling was based on breaches of Article 9(1)(g) and (h) of the 1992 Constitution. These articles mandate that a Member of Parliament must vacate their seat if they leave their party post-election to join another party or decide to sit as an independent member. The controversy began when the affected MPs, including Mr Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah from Amenfi Central, Mr Andrews Amoako Asiamah from Fomena, Mr Kwadjo Asante from Suhum, and Madam Cynthia Mamle Morrison from Agona West, filed with the Electoral Commission to contest the upcoming 2024 parliamentary elections as independent candidates, despite being elected on political party tickets. The Speaker's decision was initially brought to the House's attention on Tuesday by Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader, under Order 93 of the Standing Orders of Parliament. Following the announcement, the NPP caucus, led by Mr Afenyo-Markin, staged a walkout and subsequently declared the boycott. Mr Afenyo-Markin accused the Speaker of colluding with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority to create confusion in Parliament. He stated, "It is clear that Mr Speaker avoided service of the writ to do the bidding of the NDC. We believe in the law, and as the Majority Caucus, we are immediately boycotting Parliament until this matter is determined by the Supreme Court." The Majority Leader further emphasized that the Speaker does not have the constitutional authority to interpret laws, suggesting that t he actions taken were biased to favor the opposition, NDC. The NPP Parliamentary Caucus has committed to respecting any forthcoming Supreme Court decisions regarding this constitutional interpretation issue.