The ongoing displays in Parliament by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucuses on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, have generated numerous talking points across various social media platforms.
From the NDC MPs occupying the Majority seats to hooting the NPP MPs away from the chambers after their press conference, as well as chanting patriotic songs and marching on the floor of Parliament following the exit of the NPP MPs, Ghanaians have expressed mixed reactions to these recent developments.
There are currently rumours of an anticipated ‘showdown’ in Parliament over which caucus will occupy the Majority and Minority seats as the country awaits the arrival of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to address the House.
In reaction to the developments following the walkout by the NPP MPs, many Ghanaians have described the events, particularly the marching of the NDC MPs on the floor, as shameful and disgraceful.
According to various opinions, the MPs are old enough to avoid such childish displays in Parliament.
Others have found the unfolding events to be amusing, noting the dramatic nature of the situation.
Background
The Supreme Court of Ghana on October 18, 2024, stayed the ruling of Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, regarding the vacation of some four seats.
This occurred as the highest court in the land, led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, considered an application from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament.
The decision by the apex court effectively suspends the implementation of the Speaker’s ruling on October 17, 2024, pending further legal review and final determination.
Bagbin had granted a motion by Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to declare some four seats vacant, making the NDC the party with the majority members in Parliament.
Delivering his ruling, the Speaker noted that the decision by the affected MPs to contest in the December 7, 2024, election as independents or on the ticket of a party different from the party on whose ticket they currently serve contravened Article 97 (g) and (h) of the 1992 Constitution.
He noted that the motive and operational effect of Article 97(g) and (h) was to cure the issues of cross carpeting and defection as witnessed in parliaments of old.
He stated that the intent of Article 97 (g) (i) was to ensure party loyalty throughout an MP’s tenure in Parliament.
He emphasised that the affected MPs, by their decision and the Notice of Polls issued by the Electoral Commission for the December 7, 2024, parliamentary elections, have vacated their seats.
The affected seats and their MPs included Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).
The NDC is upholding the Speaker’s ruling, while the NPP is supporting the Supreme Court’s decision. With heightened anticipation, it remains unclear how the Speaker will respond to this development.
Read the reactions below:
Parliament turns into a dance class 😀😀 Ghana my country 🇬🇭🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/d4a9Jknwc2
— Anthony (@Queckilne) October 22, 2024
Ghana’s Parliament is full of jokers
— Sharyf (@__Sharyf) October 22, 2024
This is the highest level of impunity
Annoh Dompreh loaded several buses of NPP minions to Parliament to cause chaos.
Can Hon Nii Lamptey Vandapuije or the Greater Accra NDC chairman should also organize the party supporters to also go protect our MPs
Simple.
— K. Baffour® (@LouieXiii131) October 22, 2024
This Parliament Majority brouhaha should tell you both parties don’t really care about you like that. All they both want is power. How leaders dey act like this? Shocking….
— Lατιf (@iLatif_) October 22, 2024
NPP never really got the majority in parliament. The way SALL was handled clearly reflects this. They stole this majority with the help of the EC and the courts.
— nii (@niikotei) October 22, 2024
Parliament is going to be a waste of time today #StopGalamseyNow #FreeTheCitizens #DropTheCharges
— Bee (@Bridget_Otoo) October 22, 2024
Observe the urgency these politicians are attaching to sitting at the majority side, if only they applied same energy to fighting galamsey, creating jobs and creating an enabling environment for businesses to grow they will not be playing silly games of who enter the chamber 1st.
— Akosua Adjei (@Akosua__Adjei) October 22, 2024
Wicked politicians, and their people will suffer. There’ll be no exception. All who want 🇬🇭 destabilised in their quest for fleeting political power will know no peace — including their families. God, hear my prayer.
— Jerome Otchere (@JeromeOtchere) October 22, 2024
what is happening in ghana’s parliament is why you really need to let older people understand that you see absolutely nothing wrong with beating them
— wackle (@JoewackleGh) October 22, 2024
Watch the video of NDC MPs marching below:
MAG/OGB