Speaker’s Declaration of Vacant Seats Sparks Political Debate in Ghana

Accra: The decision by Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin to declare four parliamentary seats vacant has been met with political resistance, as Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, deems the ruling politically misguided. Mr. Afenyo-Markin, representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has expressed the party's intention to challenge the decision in court, emphasizing their commitment to adhere to the legal outcome. According to Ghana News Agency, the Speaker's declaration affected seats from the Amenfi Central, Fomena, Agona West, and Suhum constituencies. The ruling was based on violations of Article 97(1)(g) and (h) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates that a Member of Parliament vacates their seat if they change party affiliation or switch from being an independent member to joining a political party. The MPs involved include Mr. Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah from Amenfi Central, Mr. Andrews Asiamah Amoako from Fomena, Mr. Kwadjo Asante from Suhum, and Madam Cynthia Mam le Morrison from Agona West, all of whom have filed to contest the 2024 elections as either independent candidates or under a different party's banner. Speaker Bagbin's ruling was a response to a significant parliamentary and constitutional issue brought forward by Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader, during a session of the House. This development underscores the ongoing political tensions between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with Mr. Afenyo-Markin accusing the NDC of inciting chaos to regain power. He urged Ghanaians to support Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the NPP in the upcoming elections, highlighting the party's achievements and future vision for the country. Mr. Afenyo-Markin further criticized the NDC for lacking substantial social intervention programs and reiterated the NPP's commitment to digitalizing the economy to create opportunities for the youth. He called on party members to secure an overwhelming victory for the NPP, asserting that chaos is not conducive to a dvancing democracy in Ghana.