NPP MPs Stage Walkout Amid Parliamentary Tension Over Vacant Seats

Accra, Ghana — In a dramatic turn of events, Members of Parliament (MPs) from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) walked out of Parliament on Tuesday after their seats were occupied by MPs from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). The walkout was led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, MP for Effutu, who stated that the NPP MPs were retreating to their offices to await directives from the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, on the way forward.

Afenyo-Markin emphasized that their decision to walk out was a peaceful one, aimed at avoiding chaos in the chamber. He insisted that Ghana’s peace must be preserved, and confrontations with their NDC counterparts would only disrupt the stability of the country.

“Mr. Speaker has been part of our democracy since 1992. He is a senior lawyer and has practiced in our courts. Even if Mr. Speaker disagrees with the Supreme Court, he knows what to do,” Afenyo-Markin said, expressing confidence in the Speaker’s ability to handle the situation. He reiterated that the NPP majority had shown respect to the Speaker, even when they disagreed with him, by opting for legal redress instead of causing disruption.

“We chose the path of peace. NPP is for peace, NPP is for the peace of Ghana. We will not allow anyone to disturb the peace of this country,” he added.

The walkout was marked by the singing of the NPP party anthem, while jubilant NDC MPs booed them, chanting “Away, away, away.”

This incident comes in the wake of the Speaker’s recent declaration that four parliamentary seats had been rendered vacant. The declaration, made last week, stirred confusion and tension in Parliament. The seats in question, which involved three NPP MPs and one NDC MP, were declared vacant because the MPs were contesting the upcoming December 2024 elections in violation of the Constitution. The NPP majority quickly protested the move, arguing that it was unconstitutional.

In anticipation of the Speaker’s ruling, Afenyo-Markin had already sought intervention from the Supreme Court, which issued a stay of execution on the Speaker’s declaration of vacant seats. The Court’s decision has sparked a national debate, with some legal experts and critics accusing the Court of overstepping its boundaries and being overly political. Others, however, have defended the Court’s intervention, arguing that the judiciary has the sole authority to interpret the Constitution, especially when there are disputes surrounding its application.

The walkout highlights the growing tension between the NPP and NDC in a Parliament that has been closely divided since its inception. The NPP, with 138 MPs, has held a slim majority over the NDC’s 137 MPs, but the Speaker’s declaration of vacancies has thrown the balance of power into question.

The walkout also occurred under heightened security measures, as Parliament convened at the Accra International Conference Centre. Multiple layers of security, including barricades, checkpoints, and police presence, were in place to prevent any potential disruptions.

The nation now awaits the Speaker’s next move, which will be crucial in determining the future composition of Parliament and maintaining peace within the legislative body.