It is officially announced that the National Democratic Congress Members of Parliament, who were previously the Minority Caucus of Parliament in Ghana’s 8th Parliament, have now transitioned to become the Majority.
This significant change took place on Thursday, October 17, 2024, following the declaration of four vacant seats in the House by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.
The shift was initiated by the NDC MPs in accordance with Article 97 [1(g) & (h)] of the 1992 Constitution, which stipulates the circumstances under which a member of Parliament must vacate their seat if they switch parties or attempt to maintain their position as an independent member.
Background:
On Tuesday, the Majority Leader, Afenyo-Markin, revealed that he
had sought an injunction to prevent Speaker Alban Bagbin from declaring four parliamentary seats vacant.
This legal action was prompted by a memo sent by the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, who had previously signaled the intent of his caucus to invoke Article 97 (g) in order to request the removal of three New Patriotic Party MPs and one MP from the NDC caucus.
Haruna Iddrisu’s action was in response to the MPs for Agona West and Suhum, both from the NPP, submitting nominations to run as independent candidates in the upcoming parliamentary election.
Similarly, the independent MP for Fomena and the Amenfi Central MP from the NDC also filed nominations to contest as independent candidates, prompting the parliamentary rule in Article 97 [1(g) & (h)] to come into effect once again.
