Parliamentary proceedings were brought to an indefinite halt on Tuesday, October 22, following an announcement by Speaker Alban Bagbin. The decision comes after a heated day in the Chamber, characterized by intense disagreements between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over which party holds the majority.
The adjournment was triggered by a communication from the Supreme Court instructing Speaker Bagbin to stay his previous ruling, which had declared four parliamentary seats vacant. However, Bagbin did not disclose the full details of the Supreme Court’s communication, leaving MPs and observers uncertain about the ruling’s implications on the House’s composition.
In addressing the House, Bagbin explained that although there were enough MPs present to conduct basic parliamentary business, the lack of quorum—required to make official decisions—compelled him to adjourn proceedings. He emphasized that the ongoing dispute over the composition of Parliament, coupled with public interest, left him with no option but to indefinitely adjourn under Standing Order 59.
“Hon. members, we don’t have at least half of all Members of Parliament present. Considering the current circumstances, and the question of Parliament’s composition, I am exercising my discretion to adjourn the House indefinitely, sine die," Bagbin declared during the session.
The vacant seats in question include two NPP constituencies, one NDC constituency, and one independent seat—Agona West (Cynthia Morrison), Fomena (Andrew Asiamah), Suhum (Kwadjo Asante), and Amenfi Central (Peter Kwakye Ackah). Speaker Bagbin had declared these seats vacant on October 17, leading to the legal intervention from the Supreme Court.
The situation became more tense earlier in the day when NPP MPs staged a walkout in response to mounting tensions over the Majority status. Their departure left the House without a quorum, further complicating matters and leading to the indefinite adjournment.
With Parliament now adjourned, the political landscape remains uncertain as both the NPP and NDC await further clarification on the Supreme Court's ruling and its impact on the contested parliamentary seats.
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