NPP MPs staged a walkout in protest of Speaker Bagbin’s decision to declare four seats vacant

The Majority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament orchestrated a notable walkout on October 17, 2024, to express their opposition to Speaker Alban Bagbin’s approval of a motion declaring four parliamentary seats vacant.

This action by the Speaker has led to heightened tensions, with the Majority Caucus voicing their dissatisfaction.
The Members of Parliament from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who were not satisfied with the ruling, also participated in the walkout led by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

There was a confrontation between the Majority Leader and the Speaker of Parliament following the ruling before the walkout occurred.

The motion was put forward by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, arguing that MPs wishing to run as independent candidates in the upcoming December elections must relinquish their parliamentary positions in accordance with constitutional provisions governing parliamentary membership.

The MPs affected by this decision include Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kojo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).

The motion posits that by declaring their intention to run as independents, these MPs have effectively renounced their party affiliations, leading to the vacation of their parliamentary seats.