NDC, NPP MPs occupy Majority side in Parliament

Tensions in Parliament have escalated as the Minority Caucus has taken over seats traditionally reserved for the Majority.

The Minority’s leadership spearheaded this action as Parliament reconvened for a highly anticipated session on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

The action has amplified the political friction between the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), as both sides wrestle for control of the Chamber amidst ongoing legal and political battles.

The Minority’s decision to take over the Majority’s seats is viewed as a direct response to Speaker Alban Bagbin’s recent ruling on October 17, which declared four parliamentary seats vacant, reducing the NPP’s numbers and shifting the balance of power in favour of the NDC.

This ruling left the NDC with 136 seats, effectively making them the largest group in Parliament, while the NPP held 135 seats.

The vacant seats include two from the NPP, one from the NDC, and one from an independent MP.

In response, the Majority, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, quickly challenged the Speaker’s ruling, filing an appeal with the Supreme Court.

On October 18, the Court stayed the Speaker’s decision, allowing the affected MPs to continue their duties until a final judgment is made.

Security measures in and around Parliament have been intensified to prevent clashes, with MPs and staff subjected to thorough checks, bodyguards barred from entry, and public gallery access restricted.

Parking around the Grand Arena has also been tightly controlled to manage congestion.