Parliamentary sitting in Ghana was recently adjourned indefinitely by Speaker Alban Bagbin amid a growing controversy over vacant seats. The issue arose from petitions calling for the declaration of four seats vacant due to MPs switching allegiances or contesting future elections as independent candidates. This situation has caused tensions between the Majority and Minority in Parliament, as the current balance of power could be affected if these seats are declared vacant.
The Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, argued that the MPs in question—Cynthia Morrison, Kwadwo Asante, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, and Peter Kwakye-Ackah—had vacated their seats by running as independents or switching parties, which is a violation of Article 97(1)(g) of the Ghanaian Constitution. This provision states that MPs who leave their parties or contest elections as independents must vacate their seats.
The Majority, however, contested the petition, with Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin filing a legal action to the Supreme Court, seeking clarification on whether the MPs’ actions should lead to immediate vacating of their seats during the current parliamentary term or only in future terms. The Speaker’s indefinite adjournment has given both sides time to prepare their arguments for a final ruling, which could significantly impact the balance of power in the House. The indefinite adjournment of Ghana’s Parliament by Speaker Alban Bagbin has sparked significant debate, as it comes amid a controversy over vacant seats tied to MPs switching political allegiances or choosing to run as independent candidates for the upcoming 2024 elections. The four affected MPs—Cynthia Mamle Morrison, Kwadwo Asante, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, and Peter Kwakye-Ackah—filed to run as independent or opposing party candidates, a situation which, under Article 97(1)(g) of the Constitution, could trigger their immediate disqualification from holding parliamentary seats.
The Minority Caucus, led by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, urged the Speaker to declare these seats vacant, citing the precedent set in a similar case during the previous parliamentary term. Forson argued that since these MPs have effectively abandoned the parties under which they were elected, their seats should be vacated immediately. If enforced, this would potentially tip the parliamentary balance in favour of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which would then claim a majority.
On the other hand, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, challenged this, stating that no official petitions were filed by political parties to have the seats declared vacant. Additionally, Afenyo-Markin has taken the matter to the Supreme Court, seeking clarification on whether these MPs can retain their seats until the end of the current term despite their decision to run independently in future elections. The indefinite adjournment allows both sides to prepare further legal arguments, leaving the situation unresolved and Parliament unable to function until a ruling is made. The controversy is being closely monitored as it has implications for the balance of power ahead of the 2024 elections.
