DEGLORY GH MEDIA

Tensions Rise in Ghana's Parliament as NPP Walks Out Over Sitting Dispute

On Tuesday, October 21, 2024, the Speaker of Ghana's Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin, addressed the House with an update on the quorum situation. Although the chamber had the numbers required to conduct regular parliamentary business, Bagbin explained that the House lacked the sufficient majority needed to make crucial decisions. His statement came in the wake of a dramatic walkout by members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), marking a tense moment in Ghana’s political landscape.

The NPP's walkout stemmed from an escalating disagreement about the sitting arrangement in Parliament—a seemingly procedural matter that has now spiraled into a symbol of deeper political unrest. At the heart of the dispute is the ongoing contention over which party holds the right to occupy the Majority and Minority sides of the House. This issue, which has long been a source of tension between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), reached a boiling point during the Tuesday session.

The immediate cause of the NPP's dissatisfaction can be traced back to a ruling made by Speaker Bagbin the previous Thursday. In that ruling, the Speaker declared four parliamentary seats vacant. The seats in question had been occupied by Members of Parliament (MPs) who, in what is commonly referred to as "crossing the carpet," had decided to stand as candidates in the upcoming December 7, 2024 elections under different affiliations. Some of these MPs had chosen to contest as independent candidates, while others had aligned themselves with new political parties.

The Speaker's decision to declare the seats vacant was based on a long-standing parliamentary principle, which prohibits MPs from switching political allegiances while still holding onto their seats. Bagbin's ruling, however, sparked immediate backlash from the NPP, which has since argued that the decision undermines the party’s representation in the House.

The question of seating in the House has become more than a symbolic gesture; it’s a reflection of the shifting political dynamics in Ghana ahead of the 2024 general elections. The NPP, having lost these key seats due to the Speaker’s ruling, contends that the decision to rearrange the seating undermines their ability to function as a coherent political force in Parliament. Conversely, the NDC has maintained that the Speaker's decision was in line with parliamentary rules and that the current arrangement fairly represents the balance of power following the vacant seats.

Tuesday's events unfolded quickly, as heated exchanges over the seating issue escalated. Members of the NPP, in protest, staged a walkout from the chamber, leaving the NDC to continue proceedings. This marked a significant turning point in the day's session, as without the NPP’s participation, the House was unable to reach the necessary quorum to pass any significant decisions. While there were still enough members present to hold discussions, any attempts to vote on key issues would be stalled by the absence of the NPP MPs.

Speaker Bagbin’s announcement to the House following the walkout acknowledged the unusual circumstances. He noted that while the session could continue with routine discussions and parliamentary business, the walkout left Parliament in a precarious position. Without the NPP’s participation, passing resolutions or making decisions that require a larger majority would be impossible.

This incident highlights the growing political friction as the December 2024 elections approach. With the stakes rising and the balance of power shifting within the House, moments like this one may become more frequent, signaling a turbulent lead-up to the national elections. Ghana’s Parliament, long known for its democratic deliberations, now finds itself in a precarious position as political allegiances shift and parties struggle to maintain control.

The walkout also brings into sharp focus the issue of MPs crossing the carpet, a practice that has been contentious in many democracies. It raises important questions about party loyalty, the responsibilities of elected officials to their constituents, and the rules governing parliamentary representation. For now, the tension remains unresolved, with both the NPP and NDC holding firm in their respective positions. All eyes will be on Parliament in the coming days to see how these disputes are addressed and whether the walkout signals a deeper crisis within Ghana’s political framework.

As the 2024 elections draw closer, these internal parliamentary struggles could have far-reaching implications for the stability of the government and the conduct of elections. Ghana’s political observers are watching closely, as the country navigates yet another chapter in its evolving democracy.