Parliament Suspended Indefinitely Amid NPP-NDC Impasse

Exactly seven days after the fifth meeting of the fourth session of Parliament commenced, the Speaker, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has adjourned the House indefinitely.

This, he announced, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, as Ghanaians anticipated an ultimate decision over the balance of power in the House which is creating tensions between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus.

Precedents
Many predicted confrontation between the NPP and NDC sides today as the House convened for the first time since four seats were declared vacant tilting the balance of power in favour of the NDC with the Supreme Court subsequently delivering a stay of execution order against the decree.

As the NDC side has vowed to “jealously” protect their earned majority status, the NPP side says the House has reverted to its previous status in their favour with the court order.

In the wake of this development, the Parliamentary Service issued a statement on the eve of October 22 outlining some protocols to safeguard the protection of all members, leadership and workers of the House when it convenes.

Among them were accessing the chamber at 8 am, screening all persons entering the chamber, restricting personal security details access to the chamber, and restricting public access.

However, pictures on social media before 8 am showed the Chief Whip of the NPP side seated inside the Chamber.

In reaction, the Member of Parliament for Adaklu, Governs Kwame Agbodza, claimed he had “connived” with the security to get in there.

However, speaking to the media, the Nsawam Adoagyiri MP denied the claim, noting that he went through the established protocols and went early as has been his ritual and responsibility.

Seating
As of 8 am on October 22, some members of the two sides of Parliament were already present at the premises of the Accra International Conference Centre- which is being used as the interim meeting place for legislators- ready to enter into the chamber to take their seats.

With each side laying claim to the majority status of the House, the over 55 MPs- from both sides- present at the time, occupied the seats meant for the majority, leaving the minority seats empty.

In the quest to avoid a fisticuff and affirm to the world their faith in democratic processes, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus of Parliament led by its 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.

Adjournment
Announcing the decision to the disappointment of Ghanaians and after consultation with the leadership of the House, 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.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini