The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has praised its Members of Parliament in the Majority Caucus for their resilience and commitment to the rule of law during a heated parliamentary session on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
The session, marked by tension between the Majority and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority, saw the NPP’s caucus resisting what they described as attempts by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, to “unconstitutionally reconfigure the composition of Parliament.”
The Majority Caucus, led by Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, was commended by the party’s leadership for their “maturity and resolve to defend the peace and stability” of Ghana.
The NPP claims the actions of the NDC, in collaboration with the Speaker, were aimed at tilting the balance of power within Parliament.
“The NPP’s fidelity to the rule of law and protecting the peace and stability of our dear country remains unmatched,” read a statement issued by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong.
The NPP also praised the Supreme Court’s ruling which supported their position, ordering Speaker Bagbin to rescind his decision.
The party emphasized that the constitutional composition of the 8th Parliament remains unchanged, with the NPP’s 138 MPs, including one Independent MP, constituting the Majority, while the NDC holds 137 seats in the Minority.
In its statement, the NPP called on the Speaker to abandon what they described as his “partisan posture” and to uphold the Constitution and referred to a Supreme Court ruling, stating:
“There is no Parliamentary supremacy under our Constitution. Rather, it is the Constitution that is supreme. As the interpreter of that Constitution, this Court’s view of the meaning of a constitutional provision cannot be preempted by that of any other agency of the State.”
The party condemned the NDC’s behavior in Parliament, accusing the opposition of attempting to destabilize the country ahead of the December elections.
“Their behavior is irresponsible, undemocratic, and unpatriotic. Are these the people the Ghanaian voter wishes to hand over governance of the country to on December 7th?” the statement asked.
The NPP affirmed that a government led by its flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, would uphold the rule of law and ensure Ghana’s continued peace and prosperity.