- Speaker Alban Bagbin declares 4 parliamentary seats vacant
- NPP loses 3 seats, NDC loses 1; NDC now majority
- Affected MPs vacated seats to run as independents
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has officially declared four parliamentary seats vacant, a decision that will impact the current composition of the House. Among the vacant seats, three belong to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), while one is held by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The affected Members of Parliament include Andrew Asiamah Amoako, the Second Deputy Speaker and MP for Fomena, who is now an independent candidate seeking to contest the 2024 parliamentary elections under the NPP banner. Also impacted are Peter Kwakye Ackah of Amenfi Central, Cynthia Mamle Morrison of Agona East, and Kwadwo Asante of Suhum, all of whom were elected on the NPP ticket but have filed to run as independent candidates in the upcoming elections.
As a result of this declaration, the NDC MPs will now hold the majority with 136 seats, while the NPP will become the minority with 135 seats.
This ruling followed a motion initiated by former Minority Leader and Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu, which invoked Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution.
In light of these changes, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the MP for Ajumako Enyan Essiam, will assume the role of Majority Leader, while Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin will take on the responsibilities of Minority Leader.
The decision comes after extensive discussions and arguments from both sides within the Parliament. Meanwhile, Mr. Afenyo-Markin has filed an injunction application at the Supreme Court to challenge the actions taken by the Minority.
