The members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament have declared that the Speaker’s recent declaration of four vacant seats still holds, affirming their new status as the Majority Caucus in the House.
They expressed their readiness to protect this majority status fiercely, stating, “We will also not abdicate our responsibility to the people no matter what and nothing, absolutely nothing, will change this position.”
Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Sunday, October 20. 2024, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Leader of the NDC Caucus, emphasized that the proceedings of Parliament “shall not” be “impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament.”
He added, “Any interference with the business of Parliament is unlawful, unacceptable and shall be resisted.”On October 15, 2024, Dr. Forson drew attention to four MPs who decided to contest the next parliamentary elections as independent candidates.
He noted that Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah, an MP for Amenfi Central elected on the NDC ticket, had filed to run as an independent candidate.
Similarly, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, an independent MP for Fomena and former Second Deputy Speaker, plans to contest on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Additionally, Kwadjo Asante (Suhum) and Cynthia Maamle Morrison (Agona West), both elected on NPP tickets, have also filed to run as independents.
Dr. Forson cited constitutional implications based on Article 97(1)(g) and (h), concluding that these actions resulted in the vacating of their seats.
He stated that the Speaker’s declaration was a lawful exercise of his responsibilities under both the Constitution and Parliamentary Standing Orders.
Following Dr. Forson’s request, the Speaker informed the House about the vacancies. However, a subsequent application from Majority MPs at the Supreme Court temporarily halted this decision.
The Supreme Court ruled that declaring the seats vacant infringed upon the rights of constituents who elected those MPs.
Dr. Forson maintained that the Speaker acted fairly and lawfully in declaring the seats vacant, asserting that there are currently no independent MPs in the House.
He stated that with NPP having 135 members and NDC 136 members, “the NPP group in Parliament are now the Minority Caucus.”
Reiterating their commitment to serve Ghanaians, Dr. Forson said, “We have never hidden our position that we are in this Parliament for the ordinary Ghanaian.”
He emphasized their determination to reverse what he termed as the “Akufo-Addo/Bawumia mess” and pledged to protect citizens’ interests.
He also highlighted plans to introduce private members’ bills aimed at removing taxes like the e-Levy and betting tax to alleviate financial burdens on Ghanaians.
“Already, this NPP government has made Ghana a high tax regime,” he remarked.
In response to the Supreme Court’s directive regarding suspending the Speaker’s decision on vacant seats, NDC member and the Member of Palriament for the Mahama Ayariga asserted that there is no legal basis for such suspension.
He emphasized that under Articles 2 and 130 of the Constitution, while the Supreme Court can declare actions consistent or inconsistent with constitutional provisions, there is no provision allowing for a suspension of a decision made by Parliament or its Speaker.
