The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Majority Caucus, led by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has vowed to protect its new Majority status when Parliament convenes on Tuesday.
A significant shift in the configuration of Ghana’s 8th Parliament arose following the Speaker of Parliament’s decision to vacate four parliamentary seats.
Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin declared the seats vacant on the grounds that the current occupants had defected by filing to contest the next elections on tickets different from the ones they represent in the current Parliament.
The ruling effectively ended the tenure of Agona West Member of Parliament (MP), Cynthia Morrison of the New Patriotic Party (NPP); Amenfi Central MP, Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Suhum MP, Kwadwo Asante of the NPP, and Fomena MP, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, an independent MP.
Addressing the media on Sunday, October 20, Dr. Ato Forson, the new Majority Leader, emphasized the constitutional backing of the Speaker’s ruling
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Speaker’s decision to declare the four seats vacant is a lawful and sound exercise of his responsibility in accordance with the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament,” he said.
He affirmed the implications of the Speaker’s declaration, which has left the NPP with 135 members and the NDC with 136 members, while also rendering Parliament without a 2nd Deputy Speaker.
Dr. Forson emphasized the gravity of this change, adding, “The NPP group in Parliament are now the Minority Caucus as defined by the relevant section of Order (6) of our Standing Orders.”
“The NDC MPs now constitute the Majority Caucus, in line with the Standing Orders of Parliament.”
The newly declared Majority Leader reassured Ghanaians of the NDC’s commitment to using its new majority to advance policies that address the concerns of ordinary citizens.
“We will jealously protect our new majority status and will not bow, retreat, nor surrender our lawfully earned status,” he declared.
Ato Forson further stated that the NDC would use its numbers to “remove the betting tax and other nuisance taxes” imposed by the ruling government, which he described as creating a “high tax regime” that is hurting businesses and Ghanaians.
The NDC leadership also pledged strong support for Speaker Alban Bagbin, describing him as a ‘courageous and resolute leader’ with an ‘unprecedented 32-year career in the Parliament of Ghana.’
Ato Forson assured the public that the Speaker had acted ‘fairly, firmly, and lawfully’ in his decision to vacate the four seats, adding that any interference with Parliament’s business would be resisted.
“We stand with him, pledge our full support, and urge him to protect the dignity and sanctity of the Parliament of Ghana,” he said, urging Ghanaians to ‘resist oppressor’s rule’ and to stand by the Speaker.
The Majority Leader delivered a rallying message to Ghanaians stating: “The opportune time has come, and we are determined to immediately commence the process of reversing the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia mess and put our country back on track.”
“The people of Ghana can count on us and be rest assured that the NDC majority will protect their interest.”