Accra, Ghana – Ghana’s parliament has been indefinitely suspended following chaotic scenes that erupted over a fierce dispute regarding which party holds the majority in the legislative chamber. Speaker Alban Bagbin made the announcement after tensions boiled over on Tuesday, with MPs from both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) attempting to claim seats reserved for the majority party.
The turmoil stems from a recent development where four MPs defected from their respective parties to run under different banners in the upcoming December 7 general election. Speaker Bagbin declared their seats vacant, citing constitutional provisions that prohibit MPs from switching allegiance mid-term. With parliament so evenly divided, this decision effectively gave the NDC a parliamentary majority, triggering a legal challenge from the NPP.
President Nana Akufo-Addo’s NPP quickly sought the Supreme Court’s intervention, asking the judiciary to determine if Speaker Bagbin’s ruling was a correct interpretation of the constitution. In response, the court requested that Bagbin halt any further action regarding the vacant seats until a final ruling is made. The timeline for that decision remains unclear.
Tuesday marked the first parliamentary session since the court’s directive, and the atmosphere was charged. MPs from both parties sought to physically occupy the seats designated for the majority, leading to a standoff. In a bid to avoid confrontation, NPP parliamentary leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin ordered his members to stage a walkout.
Once the NPP left the chamber, NDC MPs broke into party songs, marching around the floor in celebration. However, Speaker Bagbin ruled that without the presence of the NPP, there were insufficient MPs to conduct any legislative business. He subsequently suspended parliamentary proceedings indefinitely.
This suspension has major ramifications for the governance of the country, as it prevents the government from passing critical laws or securing approval for funding. The political deadlock could severely impact Ghana’s ability to address pressing economic challenges in the coming year.
Ghana, widely regarded as one of Africa’s most stable democracies, has seen its elections become increasingly competitive. The 2020 general election resulted in a razor-thin balance in parliament, with both the NPP and NDC securing 137 seats each. The NPP managed to form a majority after securing the backing of an independent MP.
The news of defections ahead of December’s vote sent shockwaves through the political landscape, with many Ghanaians expressing concern over the growing instability. As the country grapples with a high cost of living, the political uncertainty threatens to complicate efforts to resolve economic challenges, a key issue for both parties in the upcoming elections. Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia will lead the NPP into the race, while former president John Mahama is set to represent the NDC, as President Akufo-Addo is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.
