Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Alban Sumana agbin has adjourned Parliamentary proceedings indefinitely.
The decision on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 follows the stalemate over which side of the House forms the Majority caucus after a Supreme Court ruling that seeks to stay the execution of the declaration of four seats vacant by the Speaker, last Thursday.
Earlier today, there was near chaos in the Chamber when some members of both sides attempted to occupy the right-hand side of the Speaker, designated for the Majority in Parliament.
During the confusion amidst very tight security, NPP MPs decided to vacate the Chamber, effectively leaving the NDC Members of Parliament alone in the Chamber.
The dramatic exit was in response to the escalating tensions and disagreements over the Majority designation, which has been a focal point of contention since Thursday, October 17.
MP for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin said they were retreating to their offices to await directives from the Speaker, Alban Sumana Bagbin, on the way forward.
The absence of NPP MPs resulted in a lack of quorum—the minimum number of members required to conduct official business—prompting the Speaker, Alban Bagbin to cite this as the reason for the adjournment.
During the brief proceedings, the Speaker agreed with Francis-Xavier Sosu that the record should be corrected to reflect that, on Thursday, when the NPP group walked out, they were the Minority.
Speaker Bagbin briefly noted that he had received a communication from the Supreme Court, which directed him to stay his earlier ruling that declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
However, he did not elaborate on the details of the communication, leaving MPs and observers in the dark regarding the implications of the Court’s directive.
The Speaker informing the House on Tuesday said although they have the numbers to transact business, the House did not have the numbers to make decisions.
“Hon. members, we don’t have at least half of all the Members of Parliament present. Consequently, in view of the current circumstances, the fact that there’s a question on the composition and constitution of Parliament, and having regard to the public interest, and the exigencies of the affairs in Parliament. I will proceed to in accordance with standing order 59 adjourn the house indefinitely, that is sine die.
“Hon. members, I have consulted leadership and I’m exercising my discretion to decide to suspend the meeting of the house indefinitely, the house is accordingly adjourned sine die.”
The affected seats in contention are, Agona West (Cynthia Morrison), Fomena, (Andrew Asiamah), Suhum (Kwadjo Asante) and Amenfi Central (Peter Kwakye Ackah).
With Parliament adjourned indefinitely, the immediate future remains uncertain as both the NPP and NDC await further clarity on the substantive case before the Supreme Court.
Background
On October 18, the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling, which declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
Parliament was, in essence, instructed to recognise and allow the four MPs to fully represent their constituencies and carry out their official duties.
The application was filed ex parte, meaning that neither Speaker Bagbin nor Parliament was joined to the case.
This allowed the Court to consider the NPP MPs’ request without requiring the participation or response of the Speaker or other parliamentary authorities at this stage.
The case was heard by a panel of Supreme Court justices presided over by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, Justice Mariama Owusu, Justice Kwame Adibu Asiedu, Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, and Justice Yaw Darko Asare, who together delivered the ruling to stay the Speaker’s decision.
Update
Myxyzonline has however learnt the Speaker through his lawyers are filing an application to challenge the Supreme Court ruling
