Ato Forson: New Second Deputy Speaker to Be Elected on Tuesday
- NDC caucus will begin the transition to the majority side of Parliament
- This shift follows a ruling by Speaker Alban Bagbin
- The power balance in Parliament has changed
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, has announced that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus will begin the transition to the majority side of Parliament on Tuesday, October 21.
This shift follows a ruling by Speaker Alban Bagbin, who declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
The Speaker’s decision came after three MPs indicated their intention to run as independent candidates in the upcoming general election.
Additionally, Fomena MP Andrew Amoako Asiamah, who initially entered Parliament as an independent, confirmed he will contest the next election on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) ticket.
As a result, the power balance in Parliament has changed, with the NDC now holding 136 seats compared to the NPP’s 135, making the NDC the new majority party.
In a media address on Thursday, October 17, Dr. Ato Forson, who previously served as the Minority Leader, outlined the NDC’s plans for assuming their new majority status. He also noted that the caucus will move to elect a new Second Deputy Speaker, as the Fomena MP is among those affected by the Speaker’s ruling.
Dr. Ato Forson emphasized the significance of this transition for the NDC and expressed confidence in their ability to lead effectively in the new parliamentary environment. “We will begin the process to move to the majority side and elect a Second Deputy Speaker on Tuesday,” he stated.