There has been a shift of power in Ghana’s Parliament as the National Democratic Congress (NDC), formerly the minority caucus, now becomes the majority caucus.
The development follows the declaration of four parliamentary seats vacant by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, on the floor of the House on Thursday, October 17.
The seats declared vacant are Agona West, Suhum, Fomena and Amenfi Central.
The MPs affected are Cynthia Morrison of Agona West; Kojo Asante of Suhum, Fomena MP Andrew Asiamah and Peter Kwakye Ackah NDC MP for Amenfi Central.
The ruling of Speaker Bagbin means that Ghana’s hung parliament which gave the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) a simple majority through the support of independent MP, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, will now shift to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The decision of Speaker Bagbin follows an official petition to his office by NDC MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, who invoked Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution.
This constitutional provision stipulates that an MP must vacate their seat if they leave the party under which they were elected or attempt to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate.
Source: Myxyzonline.com
