NPP Calls Out NDC for Using Parliament to Frustrate Govt’s Agenda
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of deliberately causing a standoff in Parliament as part of their strategy for the 2024 elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, the NPP claimed that the NDC’s actions in Parliament are in line with a plan detailed in a document titled “Winning the 2024 Elections and Beyond: A Comprehensive NDC Strategy.”
Richard Ahiagbah, the NPP’s Director of Communications, alleged that the NDC is using its parliamentary strength to disrupt the government’s business and work in coordination with Speaker Alban Bagbin to frustrate the legislative process.
According to him, this effort has been ongoing since 2021, with the aim of causing gridlock in Parliament to derail the government’s agenda, all as part of the NDC’s electoral campaign strategy for 2024.
Background
Exactly seven days after the fifth meeting of the fourth session of Parliament commenced, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, adjourned the House indefinitely on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
Many predicted confrontation between the NPP and NDC sides that day as the House convened for the first time since four seats were declared vacant tilting the balance of power to the NDC with the Supreme Court subsequently delivering a stay of execution order against the decree.
Each side claimed the majority status in the House, with NDC and NPP members occupying seats designated for the majority, while the minority seats remained empty.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus of Parliament led by their leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin deserted the Parliamentary chamber to await the arrival of the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin and his ultimate decision.
Rt Hon Alban Bagbin noted that though Parliament has the one-third quorum to transact business, it lacks the two-thirds requirement for decision-making as the NPP side is determined to stay away from Parliamentary proceedings until they get a ruling in their favour.
“I have consulted leadership and I’m exercising my discretion to suspend the House indefinitely. The house is indefinitely suspended sine dine,” he announced.
The NPP Caucus has however submitted a request to the Speaker of Parliament, seeking to summon Parliament to attend to pressing government business on October 23, 2024.
