Speaker Alban S.K. Bagbin has adjourned the sitting of Parliament indefinitely due to the ongoing controversy surrounding the vacant parliamentary seats.
This decision came as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legislators occupied the Majority side of the aisle, following the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament’s (MPs) walkout earlier in the day.
The NPP MPs exited the chamber after the opposition claimed a majority and took over their seats.
MP for Effutu Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who led the walkout, explained their choice to retreat.
“We decided to return to our offices to await directives from Mr. Speaker. We chose the path of peace rather than confrontation to avoid chaos. Ghana is a peaceful country, and we must maintain that,” he stated.
“We didn’t cause commotion here. We left quietly and expressed that the right place to address these grievances is in court,” Afenyo-Markin added, emphasizing the need for unity in Parliament.
During brief proceedings, Speaker Alban Bagbin concurred with NDC MP Francis-Xavier Sosu’s request to amend the record, stating that the NPP should be acknowledged as the Minority following their exit.
The Speaker affirmed that while there were enough MPs present to conduct business, it was insufficient to make binding decisions and disclosed he had received a court process concerning the situation regarding the four MPs.
Bagbin acknowledged the challenges, citing the lack of quorum: “We don’t have at least half of all members of Parliament present. In light of the current circumstances and the question of Parliament’s constitution, I will proceed to adjourn the House indefinitely in accordance with Standing Orders 59.”
This development follows a Supreme Court ruling on October 18, which stayed Speaker Bagbin’s previous decision declaring four parliamentary seats vacant.
The Court’s order instructed Parliament to allow the four MPs, three from the NPP and one from the NDC, to represent their constituencies fully. This stay will remain in effect until the Court delivers its final ruling on the matter.
The Supreme Court panel, led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, heard the case filed ex parte by NPP MPs seeking to halt the enforcement of the Speaker’s ruling without the participation of Parliament or Speaker Bagbin.
The ongoing tensions underscore the need for clarity and cooperation within Parliament as the nation watches closely.