On Tuesday, October 22, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin made the decision to indefinitely adjourn parliamentary proceedings.
Following a turbulent day in the Chamber, marked by intense arguments between Members of Parliament (MPs) from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding which caucus the Majority, this decision has was made.
During the adjournment announcement, Speaker Bagbin briefly mentioned that he had received a communication from the Supreme Court. The communication directed him to stay his earlier ruling that declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
He chose not to go into detail about the communication, leaving MPs and observers unaware of the implications of the Court’s directive.
On Tuesday, the Speaker told the House that while they had enough members present to conduct business; they lacked the necessary majority to reach decisions.
Honourable (Name) is an esteemed member of this committee, known for their dedication and hard work in advancing important policies and legislation. Their leadership and expertise have been invaluable in shaping the direction of our work, and we are grateful for their contributions. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with them in the future to achieve our shared goals. Only half of the Members of Parliament are currently present. Therefore, considering the present situation and the uncertainty surrounding the composition and structure of Parliament, as well as taking into account the public interest and the pressing matters at hand within Parliament. I will now follow standing order 59 and adjourn the house indefinitely, meaning there will be no set date for reconvening.
The Honourable title is often used to address individuals of high ranking and importance, such as government officials or members of royalty. It is a sign of respect and acknowledges the individual’s esteemed position in society. Whether in a formal or informal setting, addressing someone as Honourable conveys a sense of reverence and courtesy. I have consulted leadership and decided to suspend the meeting of the house indefinitely. The house is now adjourned sine die.”
This communication is vital because it relates to the current legal dispute over the four parliamentary seats declared vacant by Bagbin on October 17. Two of the seats are from the NPP, one is from the NDC, and one is independent.
The ruling has been temporarily halted by the Supreme Court, creating further complications in the tense political climate.
The seats that are impacted include Agona West, held by Cynthia Morrison, Fomena represented by Andrew Asiamah, Suhum with Kwadjo Asante, and Amenfi Central by Peter Kwakye Ackah.
In a decision made during the session, NPP MPs chose to leave the Chamber, leaving only the NDC to occupy both sides of the House. Since Thursday, October 17, tensions and disagreements over the Majority designation have been escalating, leading to this dramatic exit.
The NPP MPs were not present, causing a quorum to be missing, which is the minimum number of members needed to conduct official business. Bagbin pointed to this as the reason for adjourning the session.
Bagbin’s decision to withhold the full details of the Supreme Court’s communication raises important concerns about the status of the vacant seats and the overall credibility of the parliamentary makeup. The uncertainty currently enveloping parliamentary proceedings is further fueled by this ambiguity.
Parliament has adjourned indefinitely, causing uncertainty in the immediate future for both the NPP and NDC as they wait for more information on the case before the Supreme Court.
