Speaking on Accra-based Channel One News, Mr. Khalid expressed disappointment at calls for the cancellation of the February 7 parliamentary primary and the disqualification of aspirants accused of inducement.

He emphasized that Baba Jamal shares a longstanding and cordial relationship with colleagues in Parliament and should not have been subjected to what he considers unfair criticism.

“Baba Jamal’s relationship with the NDC in Parliament is cordial. They have a very cordial relationship. Baba Jamal didn’t deserve what they did to him because some of them came to Parliament through by-elections, and Baba Jamal has been a pillar in any by-election that the NDC organised,” he stated.

The comments follow a public call by the NDC Majority Caucus for the immediate annulment of the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary amid claims of vote buying.

A committee set up by the party to investigate the allegations subsequently cleared Baba Jamal of any wrongdoing, effectively affirming his candidature for the by-election scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Mr. Khalid argued that the posture adopted by some MPs suggested a moral high ground that does not reflect the realities of internal political contests.

“Especially when it comes to our internal elections, both the NDC and the NPP, we all have these things that we need to address. Instead of sounding like you are the saint, can any Member of Parliament admit that he has never given anything before he came to Parliament? That hypocritical stand they took was very hurtful because we knew the relationship he had with them,” he added.

Despite the earlier controversy, the campaign team remains confident, particularly after the party’s investigative committee dismissed the allegations.

Meanwhile, a new survey by Global InfoAnalytics projects a win for Baba Jamal in the upcoming Ayawaso East by-election. Conducted between February 28 and March 1 and sampling 972 voters across the constituency, the poll places him ahead of his main rival, Baba Ali of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The by-election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

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The bill, laid before Parliament by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, on Thursday, February 19, seeks to address what the government describes as public confusion between the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and the National Investment Bank, which share the same acronym.

Under the proposed law, the intelligence agency will revert to the name Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), distinct from its former historical title, Bureau of National Investigation.

The bill also proposes a major restructuring of national security governance by scrapping the Ministry for National Security, with oversight functions to be exercised through the Presidency.

Presenting the bill, Mr. Mohammed-Mubarak argued that the reforms are necessary to streamline coordination and avoid institutional conflicts.

“Unfortunately, we have a situation where you say NIB, people are wondering whether you are talking about the bank or the security agency. So one of the significant things we are trying to do is to reintroduce the name BNI… Bureau of National Intelligence,” he said.https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Ss_ZNTT1Hk?si=-12jpZMRYoBro-V8

He added that the new structure is intended to prevent conflict between a Minister for National Security and the National Security Coordinator, stressing that coordination should be firmly anchored under the President with ministerial oversight rather than a standalone ministry.

However, the proposals immediately drew strong opposition from the Minority, who described the bill as flawed, overly centralising power, and lacking safeguards.

Former Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, questioned the policy rationale behind the reforms, warning that the changes could create instability and weaken accountability.

“If in four years you are no more in power, are we expecting a new government to also bring a new Act to reflect their direction?” he asked.

“It will be dangerous for this nation to make that office and agency so powerful without proper accountability. It’s a misplaced priority, and if you do that, you’ll suffer.”

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin also rejected the bill, arguing that it is politically motivated rather than driven by evidence-based governance.

“The memorandum before us does not provide any empirical evidence to suggest that Act 1030 has failed,” he said.

“So much power is being given to the coordinator, and it is not clear how his powers are going to be fettered.

“Without clear responsibility, accountability and oversight, this becomes problematic. When citizens’ rights are abused, it will be justified in the name of national security.”

He called for further consultations and amendments to incorporate concerns raised by the Minority.

Responding to the criticism, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, defended the bill, describing it as a correction of what he termed a “historical wrong” created by the previous administration.

“We decided to cut down the number of ministers, and among the ministries we guillotined was the Ministry for National Security,” he said.

“What you [NPP] did was to force the hand of a President to appoint a Minister for National Security. It was a wrong thing for us to have done as a Parliament, and this historical wrong has to be corrected.”

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In a statement dated February 8, 2026, and signed by Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mahama Ayariga, the caucus said it had taken note of widely circulated reports of vote buying during the just-ended internal contest.

The caucus strongly condemned the alleged acts, describing them as inconsistent with the party’s agenda to reset Ghana’s politics and uphold high ethical standards. It said the decision followed extensive consultations among its core and extended leadership.

According to the statement, the allegations pose a serious threat to the credibility of the NDC’s internal democratic processes and risk undermining public confidence in the party. Consequently, the caucus urged the party’s Functional Executive Committee to annul the Ayawaso East primaries and organise a fresh election.

The Majority Caucus further recommended strict sanctions against any candidate found culpable. It proposed that individuals established to have engaged in unethical conduct should be barred from participating in any rerun of the primaries.

The call follows controversy surrounding the election after reports emerged that Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed allegedly distributed items, including 32-inch television sets and boiled eggs, to delegates during the voting process. Some party insiders and delegates claim the items were perceived as inducements that may have influenced voting patterns.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor has announced investigations into alleged vote buying involving both the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In response to the controversy, the NDC leadership has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the Ayawaso East primaries and recommend measures to curb inducement in future internal elections. The committee is expected to submit its report by February 10, 2026.

The heartfelt condolence message highlighted the late Member of Parliament’s (MP’s) kindness, collaboration and harmony in working with other Members of Parliament.

Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, the First Deputy Majority Whip and also the National Democratic Congress MP for Ada, who led the delegation to visit Hajia Amina Adam, the wife, at her residence in Accra on Thursday, said: “His leadership in humility is a rare quality, and it’s clear our brother left a lasting impact on his constituency and the House.”

The Majority Caucus also donated GH¢100,000 to the bereaved family.

“We have to do the needful and pay our last respects, and today, I am here on behalf of the Speaker of Parliament and the Majority caucus to present GH¢100,000 to the widow and the family,” she said.

The late Mahama passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026, and he has since been buried.

During the funeral on Sunday, January 11, 2026, Mr Bernard Ahiafor, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, described him as a diligent “committee man” who served on several key committees, including Energy, Roads and Transportation, and the House Committee.

Reading a tribute on behalf of Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Ahiafor said the late MP’s professional background in the oil and energy sector strengthened parliamentary oversight of petroleum regulation and licensing.

He said: “Hon. Naser was known for meticulous preparation and a strong focus on value-for-money assessments during committee deliberations, frequently interrogating whether government contracts served the best interests of taxpayers.”

Mr Ahiafor added that the late MP’s contributions on the Floor of Parliament were largely through formal parliamentary questions, focusing on drainage and flood control, health infrastructure, and hospital projects within the Ayawaso East Constituency.

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Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh said the Minority had deliberately refrained from invoking provisions of Standing Order 64 and Article 102 of the Constitution, despite having sufficient numbers present in the Chamber.

He noted that by 1:30 pm, most Minority members were seated, while the Majority front bench was largely empty, with only the Member for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, Adongo, present at the time.

He described the Majority’s conduct as “pathetic” and questioned its commitment to the mandate given by Ghanaians.

According to him, the governing side, which enjoys a “whopping majority of 189 Members,” could not afford to be absent during sittings.

He stressed that the Speaker of Parliament is experienced in procedure and does not need prompting to apply the rules when the House is improperly constituted.

Mr. Annoh-Dompreh further stated that although the Minority was willing to withdraw its application in the interest of stability, the public was closely watching Parliament’s conduct.

He criticised the Majority for attending sittings at will and leaving the Chamber empty even when critical business was scheduled, questioning what such behaviour communicated to the Ghanaian people who had entrusted them with power.

Issuing what he described as “free counsel,” the Minority Chief Whip urged the Majority to properly marshal its numbers going forward.

He warned that the Minority would no longer be lenient, insisting that the Majority must live up to its claim of a supermajority by ensuring attendance.

Mr. Annoh-Dompreh also questioned whether internal political ambitions, including presidential considerations, were affecting attendance, stressing that such distractions should not undermine parliamentary responsibility.

It noted that by the end of 2024, critical systems such as the National Health Insurance Scheme, free Senior High School, and decentralised governance had nearly collapsed due to financial mismanagement and corruption, leaving district assemblies severely underfunded.

The Majority said the current government’s performance has since been recognised by international institutions, including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and global credit rating agencies, citing improvements in inflation, exchange rates, and foreign reserves.

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga also highlighted the GoldBod initiative as an innovative tool for leveraging Ghana’s natural resources to stabilise the currency, noting that it was unfortunate such ideas never emerged under the economic management team led by former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

Looking ahead, the Majority said Parliament will, in early February, pass legislation to establish a 24-Hour Economy Authority. The policy is described as central to driving industrialisation, expanding services, creating sustainable jobs, and complementing efforts to combat galamsey while restoring the environment.

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According to the Caucus, the audit will aim to identify the companies that benefited from tax exemptions and determine how those exemptions were utilised.

The Majority said the policy has failed to achieve its core objectives of industrialisation and job creation.

Describing the initiative as a “monumentally failed policy,” the Caucus argued that its poor outcomes resulted from weak oversight and blatant misuse of public incentives.

“If the policy had worked as advertised, thousands of young people would be in stable private sector jobs today,” Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga said, accusing the Minority of feigning concern over youth unemployment.

The Majority added that the audit will ensure accountability and help prevent the repetition of policies that drain public resources without delivering meaningful economic benefits.

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According to the Majority, the low carrying capacity of public transport became evident during the first Christmas season after the change of government, exposing a system that had been left dysfunctional and ill-prepared to meet public demand.

The Caucus said government has already outlined measures to expand the fleet of buses operated by state-owned transport companies.

It added that an improved financial environment will also enable private operators to supplement public services.

“Very soon, Ghanaians will witness significant improvements in public transportation within our cities,” Mr Ayariga said, noting that both public and private sector participation will be key to resolving the challenges.

The Majority maintained that the situation reinforces the need for prudent economic management, arguing that reliable public transport cannot exist without strong fiscal discipline and effective planning.

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The Majority recalled that Ghana’s financial system had collapsed, with the cedi depreciating to unprecedented levels and inflation soaring to historic highs. These conditions, it said, significantly eroded household incomes and plunged many families into economic distress.

It further noted that critical social services deteriorated sharply, with Senior High Schools frequently unable to resume due to insufficient funds for feeding. Hospitals, the Majority added, were also forced to turn away patients as the National Health Insurance Authority consistently failed to settle claims submitted by service providers.

“The Ghanaian people lived through one of the most difficult economic periods in our history, and no amount of political spin can erase that reality,” Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business Mahama Ayariga stated.

The Majority said it will continue to remind the public of these challenges, stressing that Parliament must remain grounded in facts rather than selective memory when national issues are debated.

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Speaking on the AM show on Wednesday, Mahama Ayariga said such behaviour undermines the dignity of the House and the country’s commitment to the rule of law.

“This is the country of the rule of law. We believe in the rule of law,” he said. “Why are you wearing face masks and disrupting parliamentary proceedings? This is very, very shameful… that you wear face masks and come into the chamber as faceless people and be rude.”

He questioned why MPs who claim to be acting on principle would conceal their identities in the chamber, insisting that those convinced of their stance should have no reason to hide.

“If you have the courage of conviction of what you are doing, and you are convinced you are right, why wear face masks and be rowdy in Parliament?” he asked.

Mahama Ayariga’s comments come after parliamentary business was thrown into turmoil on Tuesday when Minority MPs demanded that the House be adjourned.

This followed Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to defer his ruling on the disputed Kpandai parliamentary seat.

Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh argued that no government business should proceed until the matter was resolved. But the Speaker ruled, after a voice vote, that sittings would continue.

The Minority responded by chanting and attempting to disrupt the session, prompting a heated standoff between both sides of the House.

Earlier in the day, tensions escalated when the Minority blocked Mahama Ayariga from responding to demands for the withdrawal of a December 4, 2025, letter from the Clerk to Parliament.

The letter formally notified Electoral Commission Chairperson Jean Mensa of a vacancy in the Kpandai Constituency, following a High Court order for a rerun of the 2024 election.

Mahama Ayariga maintained that disorderly conduct, particularly by MPs obscuring their identities, sets a dangerous precedent for Ghana’s democracy.

“If we start allowing this, we’ll be destroying the democracy,” he warned.

Parliament is expected to reconvene as leadership on both sides strategises on the next steps regarding the Kpandai rerun and the disruptions in the chamber.

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The late Mrs. Rawlings passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Ridge Hospital in Accra. She was 76.

In a statement, the Majority Caucus described her death as a great loss to the nation, extending heartfelt condolences to her family, particularly her daughter, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle and Chairperson of the Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliament.

“The Majority Caucus in Parliament of Ghana has learnt with shock the sudden passing of Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, former First Lady and wife of H.E. Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings. On behalf of all Majority Members of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Speaker Bagbin, and the entire Parliament of Ghana, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and the nation. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace. She paid her dues to this country,” the statement read.

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is fondly remembered as a pioneering champion for women’s empowerment and social justice, whose decades of advocacy through the 31st December Women’s Movement transformed the lives of many Ghanaian women.

She served as Ghana’s First Lady from 1981 to 2001 and later became a political leader in her own right.

Source: AdomOnline

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Speaking to the media, Mr Ayariga said Parliament already has the tools to hold the Executive accountable and urged the Minority to make use of them instead of relying solely on formal submissions.

“The tools for getting them to come and brief you on the policies are in your hands. If you want clarification, you can ask a minister a question. That’s how you bring them to the floor of the House to explain government policies,” he said.

His comments follow accusations by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin that the government has failed to provide Parliament with documents on major initiatives such as the 24-hour economy, Feed Ghana, and the Big Push infrastructure programme.

However, Mr Ayariga maintained that these programmes have already been publicly launched and widely reported, making information about them accessible.

“You cannot say that as an opposition, it is only when facts are stated in the House that you take them as government policy. Each one of those policies has been launched publicly, and journalists have covered and reported them,” he said.

He further urged the Minority to use available public sources, including media reports and online platforms, to monitor and assess government programmes.

“You should be reading newspapers, checking the internet, and following news portals that cover these events,” he added.

Source: AdomOnline

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Speaking on the floor of the House on Tuesday, May 27, after Parliament resumed sitting, Mr. Ayariga urged that all NPP backbenchers present on the day in question be referred to the Privileges Committee for investigation over what he described as a “breach of privilege.”

According to him, despite a one-week ultimatum from the Speaker of Parliament for the individual responsible to own up, no one has taken responsibility. He insisted that the Majority Caucus will not allow the matter to go unresolved.

“The Majority Caucus will demand that all the NPP members of the backbench who were sitting in the direction where the unsavory statement came from should be referred to the Privileges Committee for investigation of a contempt and breach of the privileges of a member,” he stated.

Reiterating the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus’s stance, Mr. Ayariga condemned the remark and described it as a disgraceful moment in the House’s recent history.

Background

The controversy surrounds the “daughter of a murderer” comment made in Parliament, a derogatory remark directed at Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle and daughter of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.

The incident occurred during a parliamentary session on February 4, amid heated discussions commemorating the 60th anniversary of the death of Joseph Boakye Danquah.

As Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin addressed the House, an unidentified male voice from the parliamentary backbench interrupted, shouting, “Daughter of a murderer, sit down!”

The comment insinuated that Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings’ father was responsible for past political killings—a claim that has long been the subject of historical debate.

The outburst triggered immediate chaos in the chamber, with members expressing shock and disapproval.

The Speaker of Parliament subsequently issued a one-week ultimatum for the MP responsible to voluntarily come forward or face severe consequences.

To date, no MP has owned up to making the statement.

Source: MyJoyOnline

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The session, officially referred to as the Second Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic, will mark the formal return to legislative business.

In a notice issued in accordance with Order 58 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, the Speaker informed all Members of Parliament (MPs) of the scheduled resumption to ensure they are adequately prepared for the upcoming proceedings.

With the House reconvening, MPs are expected to deliberate on pressing national issues, debate and pass legislation, and review reports from various parliamentary committees.

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Speaking after Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson presented the budget to Parliament on Tuesday, March 11, Ayariga emphasized that the financial plan brings hope to ordinary Ghanaians and introduces key economic reforms.

“This is clearly the budget of a government and a party that keeps its promises. In less than 120 days, almost every commitment made by the Mahama government has been fulfilled,” he stated.

He highlighted that the budget prioritizes crucial sectors, with direct benefits for market traders, assembly members, students, and the wider population.

“This budget serves the interests of Makola women, assembly members, girls, and schoolchildren. It delivers solid reforms and drives economic growth. By the time we fully implement it, the elephant will shrink—‘osono bɛyɛ ketekete,’” he added.

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Speaking to the press on Monday, February 3, Afenyo-Markin stated, “We’ve been cooperative, but they’re bullies. They intimidate us, and if we don’t stand strong, they’ll continue to bully us, and we won’t allow that.”

He cited a recent incident where the Appointments Committee initially agreed to vet three nominees, but the NDC pushed for additional nominees, bringing the total to five.

Afenyo-Markin further alleged that the NDC has deployed “foot soldiers” to intimidate NPP MPs, including cases of physical assault.

“We’ve brought this to the attention of Parliament Police, and we’re taking steps to beef up our security,” he announced. “The attacks are becoming too frequent, and we don’t feel safe.”

He also defended the actions of NPP MPs during their protest on Thursday night, stressing that they remained law-abiding and did not engage in any destruction of public property. He urged critics to review footage of the incident.

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Speaking to the press on Monday, February 3, Mr. Afenyo-Markin stated that the NDC MPs ignored the Speaker’s instruction regarding the reconstitution of the Appointments Committee.

“In fact, on the day, one of his consequential orders was that the Selection Committee must meet immediately to reconstitute the Appointments Committee. However, the NDC Majority Caucus chose to proceed with the vetting process without any due regard for this directive,” he said.

Despite disagreeing with the Speaker’s decision, Mr. Afenyo-Markin stressed the importance of engagement.

“On our part, we believe that though we disagree with Mr. Speaker, out of deference to him, we must still engage him, and we will engage him. We started this engagement over the weekend but were not able to meet the Speaker, but we will continue to his office today,” he added.

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His remarks follow a dispute that arose after Speaker Alban Bagbin declared four parliamentary seats vacant, sparking uncertainty over the majority status in Parliament. Both the NDC and NPP caucuses have since claimed the majority position.

On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Supreme Court in Accra ruled against Speaker Bagbin’s decision, supporting a challenge led by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. In a 5-2 ruling headed by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, the Court found that Bagbin’s interpretation of Article 97(1)(g) of the Ghanaian Constitution did not justify his declaration.

The affected MPs included Cynthia Mamle Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Peter Kwakye-Ackah (Amenfi Central), who had run as independents, and Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), an NPP candidate.

Speaking on Channel One TV, Mr. Vanderpuye emphasized that parliamentary standing orders—not judicial rulings or NPP directives—should govern the designation of majority and minority status in the House.

He argued that such matters are strictly internal to Parliament and should be resolved based on its composition.

“We want them to understand one fact: as far as we are concerned, majority or minority status is determined by the numbers in the House. When we reconvene, the numbers will reveal who holds the majority. This is not a matter for the Supreme Court.

“It is not for the NPP or the Supreme Court to decide who is the majority or minority in Ghana’s Parliament. We have our own procedures for determining this. When the NPP was declared the majority by Speaker Bagbin, did they seek Supreme Court validation for that declaration?”

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This appeal follows the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against Bagbin’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant, siding with a challenge from Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

In a 5-2 decision led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, the seven-member panel ruled in favor of Afenyo-Markin. Chief Justice Torkornoo noted that a detailed explanation of the ruling would be provided at a later date.

Following the ruling, Afenyo-Markin stated that the decision clarified an important constitutional issue that had affected parliamentary operations.

He emphasized that the court’s interpretation confirmed the Speaker lacks the authority to declare seats vacant.

“This judicial interpretation of our constitution should strengthen, not weaken, the relationship between leadership and members of the House.

“With the utmost respect for your wisdom and dedication to our democracy, I respectfully urge you to exercise your authority to reconvene Parliament so that we may fulfill our duty to the people of Ghana without further delay,” he said.

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Speaking to the Parliamentary Press Corps moments after Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin’s indefinite adjournment of the House, Mr Iddrisu said: “It is rightly a constitutional stalemate, and I think that the best forum and the best authority to resolve the political tussle is the Supreme Court of Ghana, giving a true and proper interpretation of Article 97(1)(g) and (h)”.

The Speaker’s decision to adjourn the House indefinitely follows a ruling from the Supreme Court, pursuant to an ex parte application, directing Parliament to recognise and allow the four Members of Parliament, whose seats the Speaker had declared vacant, to duly represent their constituents and conduct full scope of duties of their offices as Members of Parliament, pending the final determination of a suit filed by Mr Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the NPP Parliamentary Caucus Leader.

The four Parliamentary seats declared vacant by the Speaker on Thursday, October 17, are Amenfi Central, Fomena, Agona West and Suhum Constituencies, for breaches of Article 9(1)(g) and (h) of the 1992 Constitution by the Members of Parliament (MPs).

Article 97(1) states : “A member of Parliament shall vacate his seat in Parliament – (g) if he leaves the party of which he was a member at the time of his election to Parliament to join another party or seeks to remain in Parliament as an independent member; or (h) if he was elected a member of Parliament as an independent candidate and joins a political party”.

The Speaker’s ruling on Thursday, October 17, was a formal response to the House in relation to a matter of significant parliamentary and constitutional importance, which was brought to the attention of the House on Tuesday, October 15, by Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader and NDC MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, pursuant to Order 93 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

This development has left the NPP Caucus with 135 MPs and the NDC Caucus with 136 MPs.

However, the Supreme Court on Friday, October 18, set aside the Speaker’s ruling and directed him to allow the four affected MPs to participate in the business of the House.

On Tuesday, October 22, Speaker Bagbin made the adjournment of House in formal communication to the House, during which the NDC Caucus occupied the Majority side of the Chamber, while the NPP Caucus retreated to their offices in the Job Six Hundred Building Block of Parliament House.

Before adjourning the House, the Speaker said although the House at its Tuesday’s had the numbers to conduct business, which was definitely far above one third of the Members of Parliament, but the numbers were not sufficient for them to take decisions.

The Speaker noted that, he had consulted leadership, and that he was exercising his discretion to decide to suspend the meeting of the House indefinitely.

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The adjournment occurred after a heated session, with the Speaker citing an insufficient number of Members of Parliament (MPs) to continue business.

The parliamentary standoff arose after Speaker Bagbin declared four parliamentary seats vacant. This decision followed a motion by Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Forson, citing constitutional provisions regarding MPs who had switched parties or run as independents.

The affected seats include Fomena, Suhum, Agona West, and Amenfi Central.

Although the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on the Speaker’s ruling, preventing the seats from being vacated immediately, the Minority insists that Bagbin’s decision has shifted the balance of power in their favour.

In an interview on Channel One TV, Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga reaffirmed the Minority’s stance.

He said the Speaker’s ruling declaring the four seats vacant still stands, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs will not concede to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) until the decision is reversed.

Ayariga added that, the Minority would follow the Speaker’s directive to adjourn and return to their constituencies, awaiting a new parliamentary session.

He reiterated that the caucus would continue to regard themselves as the majority until the issue is fully resolved.

This impasse has cast uncertainty over the legislative process, with both parties anticipating the next steps.

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He defended Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision and accused the Majority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin of rushing to the Supreme Court to delay the process.

According to him, the NPP MPs are aware they have no strong case and are only trying to buy time ahead of the 2024 general elections.

In an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Mr Ibrahim questioned the logic of the ruling government boycotting parliamentary sessions.

“We have very little time left, only 50 days until the elections. We have three weeks to pass a budget or vote on account, and there is a constitutional requirement for it. The NDC is in opposition, so if it boycotts parliament, the government can still function. However, the government in power claims that it is boycotting parliament, but how is that possible? What is the purpose of boycotting parliamentary sittings?

“The Speaker made the right decision based on the law, and they knew that would be the outcome, which is why AfenyoMarkin quickly went to the supreme court to challenge the speaker’s ruling. The NPP MPs know they don’t have a case; they were just buying time,” he said.

Watch the video below:

Source: Adomonline

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He argued that the exemptions, amounting to over $350 million, do not warrant the urgency of recalling Parliament.

“This recall comes just 95 days before the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections. It has been initiated by the NPP majority to hasten tax breaks for their crony businesses,” he asserted.

Addressing the floor on September 3, Dr. Ato Forson emphasized that National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs oppose these tax exemptions, contending that they are not in the best interest of ordinary Ghanaians.

He proposed that, these exemptions be converted into tax credits or linked to equity shares, as outlined in the Tax Exemption Act.

“We will not endorse the giveaway of over $350 million to crony businesses in an opaque and untransparent manner,” he insisted.

In response, Majority Leader Afenyo-Markin dismissed Dr Forson’s accusations as baseless and lacking evidence.

He argued that, the Minority Leader’s remarks could deter investors and create uncertainty in the business environment, negatively impacting the country.

He urged the Minority to reconsider and support the tax exemptions.

“I encourage the Minority to back the tax exemptions program. The finance committee has been diligently scrutinizing these applications during the recess, and I am aware that their efforts have significantly reduced the figures.”

Play the attached audio below:

Source: Adomonline

READ ALSO:

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This was after the leaders made changes to the leadership in line with Parliament’s new Standing Orders, which now allows NDC MPs to chair at least 10 of the most important committees.

The Minority has since criticised the announcement of the reassignment of Kwaku Kwarteng, attributing the MP’s opposition to the over 400 million cedis tax waivers as the reason for the changes.

But Deputy Majority Whip, Habib Idrissu insists the assertions are not true.

According to him, the Majority “needed the experience he has had as Deputy Minister for Finance for four years and the experience he has had as chairman, to blend together for us…so he can handle issues that have to do with the economy.

“The most important thing is that the Majority Caucus hasn’t made that change or changed him because he was in opposition to something”.

While justifying the decision, the Tolon MP explained that his side of the House needed Mr Kwarteng more in his new role.

“When you look at the Minority side, they always try to talk about the economy and we needed somebody who can speak to that,” he stressed.

The comment comes weeks after the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, announced a shake-up of the majority leadership in Parliament.

As part of this, Obuasi West MP Kwaku Kwarteng was removed as Chairman of the Finance Committee.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Friday, June 28, the Majority Leader said Kwaku Kwarteng had been moved from the Finance Committee to chair the new Economy Committee.

He justified the move by highlighting Mr Kwarteng’s capability to address economic matters and challenge the opposition’s representative on economic issues.

“We are challenging you to come up with your spokesperson on the economy. You have not said so officially, but we are going to make sure we have a spokesperson on the economy to challenge your Isaac Adongo. Hon. Kwaku Kwarteng is going to face him directly on the economy,” Mr Afenyo-Markin stated.

But the Minority chastised the Majority over the move.

Speaking on the floor of the House on Friday, June 28, the Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, argued that the move was unconstitutional, accusing the Majority Leader of usurping the Speaker of Parliament’s power to make such changes.

“He’s the Majority Leader, and he should know better not to usurp the power of the Speaker, the Chairman of the Committee of Selection and to come here to simply announce that he has overthrown him and made changes without the knowledge of the Speaker,” Mr Buah lamented.

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Since Parliament reconvened in July, attendance from the NPP MPs has been sparse, with hardly 30 members present, forcing the Minority to handle the bulk of government business.

This situation comes just days after NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, announced Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as his running mate.

Addressing the House, Deputy Minority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim criticized the NPP MPs for prioritizing campaign activities with Dr Bawumia over their parliamentary duties.

Mr Ibrahim warned that if this continues, the Minority will also direct their members to focus on campaigning, potentially leaving Parliament inoperable.

Play attached audio for more

The MP lamented that many members of the Majority Caucus have prioritized the campaign activities of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, over parliamentary business.

Addressing the issue on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, June 19, Mr Teye Larbi criticized the Majority’s lack of engagement, stating that it undermines the efforts of the Minority Caucus.

“It is not good for our image. As if we are joking here. And if the government doesn’t have any business for us to do, then we should adjourn sine die so that we go home and continue because, as I speak to you, most of our colleagues are following the vice president left, right, and centre. We also have to go and campaign. We cannot be here doing government business while they go out there and campaign.

According to him, Ghana is not a business that can be owned and controlled by an individual.

He refuted claims by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the Minority in Parliament is harassing foreign entities intending to do business with the country.

Speaking on Top Story on Wednesday, June 5, Mr Dafeamekpor said, “The country is not a sole proprietorship. Even as a sole proprietorship, you have to govern it in accordance with the appropriate arrangements.”

He asserted that the ruling government often bypasses cabinet discussions and relies solely on executive approval, ignoring the need for parliamentary approval.

“It’s something we must critically look at. A lot of the things this government has done is by executive approval but we are insisting that this one, it has to comply with Section 33 in consonance with Article 181 of the Constitution,” he said on Joy FM.

His comments come after the Majority expressed discontent with the Minority’s demands for parliamentary approval of every government transaction.

According to the majority caucus, this is petty and deters potential investors from the country’s economy.

The Minority has recently criticised the government for unilaterally signing various contracts, including the recent 5G service deal with NextGen InfranCo.

The NDC MPs argue that some of these sole-sourced deals must be subjected to parliamentary approval.

However, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, disagreed, saying, “It is important to remind our colleagues that they ought not to make Parliament a busybody nosing for things that are not part of its mandate. Our job as Parliament is provided for in the Constitution, and I urge our friends in the NDC to act accordingly.”

On the back of this, the South Dayi MP said that the Minority caucus will not allow such transactions to proceed without parliamentary approval, noting that the NDC caucus will continue to ensure the government respects the laws of the country.

“Nobody has gone to court to frustrate government business than these people when they were in opposition. So when they are in government now and we are checkmating every single transaction they conduct in breach of our laws, I think the proper thing to do is they comply with the law,” Mr Defeamekpor added.

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The Majority in Parliament has taken on Speaker Alban Bagbin over his response to President Nana Akufo-Addo over a letter to the House to cease transmitting the anti-LGBTQI+ bill for his assent.

In a letter to Parliament, the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante explained the directive was informed by two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction before the Supreme Court.

The applications sought to prevent Parliament from sending the Bill to the President and to restrain the President from signifying his assent to the Bill, pending the final determination of the matter.

In this regard, Speaker Bagbin on Wednesday suspended the approval of Akufo-Addo’s new ministerial nominees, stating he has also received an injunction against the exercise.

Mr Bagbin stated the President’s act was a departure from established democratic practices and also undermines the spirit of cooperative governance.

He further criticised the presidency for attempting to disregard the foundational principles enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

Addressing a press conference following the suspension, Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin stated Speaker Bagbin is at liberty to disagree with the President and express opinions on his actions.

“Mr Speaker went beyond expressing disagreement and rather pronounced judgment on what in his view was wrong. Mr Speaker did not only stop there, he also used very unsavory words to describe Mr. President. We believe that in a democracy, we have our right to disagree on views expressed but we do not have the right to say things to denigrate another. This we think is very unacceptable,” he said.

However, the comments of Speaker Bagbin according to the Effutu MP must not aim at denigrating Akufo-Addo.

“Mr Speaker said the President has undermined democracy and that he should have resorted to the Constitution in making certain communications to the House. We in the Majority beg to disagree with the position taken by Mr Speaker. If you carefully read the letter that was sent to Parliament, Mr President limited himself to the process before the court and the fact that Parliament itself has filed an affidavit in opposition and is in court.

“In fact,  Parliament is a party to the suit, so for us, we do not see how this would have to affect the proceedings of Parliament. In any event, Mr Speaker has always deferred to the leadership of the House to guide him in the conduct of business,” he stated.

The leader added the Speaker’s action was disappointing since he adjourned the House without taking comments from the parliamentary leadership.

“It is very disappointing that after Mr Speaker had made known his own views about the letter sent from the presidency to the clerk he adjourned the house without giving room for the leadership of the house to even comment.

“This we find very strange, this is a democracy and we believe, as Mr speaker himself said, that this impasse calls for reflection. I will play that out to Mr Speaker that we all need to reflect on the way forward as a nation,” he lamented.

Listen to the Majority Leader in the video above:

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According to him, the allegations are baseless, and it is affecting the reputation of the bank.

The Minority, at a press conference on September 28 expressed its opposition to the government’s plans to either collapse NIB or merge it with the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).

Minority spokesperson on Finance, Isaac Adongo, alleged that, this plan is merely a smokescreen to sell off the two banks after their merger to government cronies as part of state capture efforts.

The Minority therefore asked the government to pay the debt owed to the bank and further proscribe measures that would make it viable.

But reacting to these claims, the Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP said at a press conference on Wednesday said this is a lie being put out.

“I’ve not heard anywhere that there’s going to be any sell-off. If there’s going to be any sell-off, I’m not aware of that” he added.

Mr. Annoh-Dompreh has challenged the Minority to provide evidence if they believe there were sinister intentions behind the alleged merger.

“My concern is that if we are not careful, we will run down the bank. No financial institution is run with propaganda; it will not succeed. They should be a bit more patriotic,” he stated.

The lawmaker further admonished his colleagues to seek clarification from NIB if they had concerns.

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Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has debunked assertions that they bribed some members of the Minority to approve new ministers appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

According to him, such wild allegation is the figment of imagination of the leadership of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Mr Annoh-Dompreh, who is also the Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, revealed this in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday.

Some NDC MPs have come under pressure after it emerged that, they defied the party’s directive not to approve the new ministerial nominees. The party leadership, led by National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, are on a manhunt for those MPs they described as “traitors”

But Mr Annoh-Dompreh said the party should rather blame the Minoriy leadership for sleeping on their jobs.

“I personally engaged the NDC MPs privately and they bought into our message of patriotism that is why they voted for the new ministers,” he stated.

The Majority Chief Whip debunked bribery allegations by Cape Coast South MP, George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan.

Rather, he said the Majority appealed to the conscience of the NDC MPs and took advantage of their friendship.

He took a swipe at the Minority leadership led by Cassiel Ato Forson for seeking to remote control his colleagues.

The Majority Chief Whip noted that the outcome of the vote could mean that the NDC MPs were tired of the party’s position.

“NDC MPs are reasonable people. You cannot run Parliament like you are running a political party; there are things you trade,” he fumed.

The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP added that the margin they won should send a certain signal to the Minority leadership.

“The Minority leadership is asleep so they will lose any secret ballot on the floor of the House. The worse is yet to come,” he stressed.

The Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has questioned if the NDC MPs will sit in parliament and take orders from its party.

Mr Afenyo-Markin also queried if the Minority Leader and his team are incompetent to make decisions until the party instructs them on what to do in Parliament.

Addressing a press briefing, the Effutu MP stated the development was shocking given the fact that the General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey and Chairman, Asiedu Nketia are both MPs and know the rules of the House.

He said they are hitting below the belt.

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In a press release dated February 19, the party explained that this is to help push for the reduction in the size of the current government.

Meanwhile, the Minority has said they will adhere to the NDC’s directive by way of protecting the suffering Ghanaians.

They have, therefore, vowed they will participate in the vetting process but will not subscribe to a consensus vote.

The Caucus would be holding a crunch meeting when parliament returns from recess to determine their next line of action on their demand for the removal of Finance Minister Mr Ofori-Atta, says Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

According to him, the Caucus would also engage the President after the meeting to know his stand for their next set of action.

“The decision for Ofori-Atta’s removal was a Caucus decision… As a Leader, I will be talking to the MPs on an individual basis, and we will put together their reservations.

“We still must have a Caucus meeting (upon return) after which we will meet the president. And I believe that the right thing will be done,” the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said while speaking in an interview with Oyerepa TV.

This comes after leadership of the NPP had an agreement with the Members of Parliament of the New Patriotic Party, somewhere in November 2022 to make themselves available for the reading of the 2023 budget by the Finance Minister.

The agreement reached indicated that Mr Ofori-Atta will be supported in presenting the budget, the passing of its appropriation, and to lead government in its negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

The meeting was after the NPP MPs threatened to boycott the budget presentation if Mr Ofori-Atta presented it.

Interestingly, in as much as the Majority want Mr Ofori-Atta out, the President has given him additional responsibility as a caretaker minister for the Ministry of Trade and Industry after Alan Kyerematen’s resignation.

To them, though they have earlier demanded Mr Ofori-Atta‘s removal, they have their own path to chart, stating a Vote of Censure is not an option for them.

They will, therefore, continue to fight for the removal of the Finance Minister but not in this approach.

 Effiduase-Asokore MP, Dr Ayew Afriyie and Subin MP, Eugene Boakye Antwi, made these declarations in a press briefing in Parliament.

Meanwhile, the Minority depicting their readiness stormed Parliament in black and red attire amidst jubilation but expressed surprise at the pronouncement of their colleagues.

Ajumako-Essiam MP, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, stated the action of the Majority showed they do not have the interest of the nation at heart.

This, according to him, was because Ghanaians want Mr Ofori-Atta out and were expecting the House to be in oneness to achieve the goal.

He, however, vowed the Minority remains resolute and determined with the path they have chosen.

Currently, the leadership is in a crunch meeting.

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In a statement signed by the General Secretary, Justin Kodua, the party asked the chief whips of the Caucus to ensure the order is complied with. 

He said the decision was taken after wider consultation with major stakeholders.

According to the Nsawam Adoagyiri Member of Parliament, the passage of the controversial bill will enhance the chances of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to win power in 2024 if it is indeed a bad thing for Ghanaians

Addressing the media in Parliament, he explained that the NDC has realised that the E-Levy is going to assist government to generate enough funds to bring more developments to Ghanaians, hence their fierce resistance.

Mr Dompreh said Ghanaians should be assured that the E-Levy would be approved in due course in order to bring the best with respect to good roads, youth employment and boost in the 1D1F among others.

The Chief Whip stressed he was surprised at the posture of the Minority on the E-levy after supporting other policies.

That, it said, would ensure that the country moved on with its development agenda.

The President of the GPCC, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, said this in an interview after the opening of the 53rd Annual Conference of Heads of Churches and Organisations at the Pentecost Convention Centre at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region last Wednesday.

The four-day conference is on the theme: ‘Defending the Christian Faith in Contemporary Times.”

Compromise

“Ghana needs money to work, so let us all do our best to make sure that the nation works. If E-Levy will work, the opposition and the Majority should come to a compromise, so let us not entrench ourselves as if it is political tension and battle, and one party will win,” he said.

Already, he said, the fight by the Majority and Minority MPs in the House last year was one of the most shameful incidents in the history of the country, and should not happen again.

“It has happened twice in this Parliament and should not happen again,” he said.

Corruption

Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso expressed concern about corruption in the country, especially when 70 per cent of the population were Christians.

He wondered how the Church, as the body of Christ, could defend the Christian faith in a morally degenerating and corrupt society where the lack of fear of God and the love for money was reaching the tipping point.

He explained that defending the Christian faith went beyond mere slogans, condemnation and militancy but “allowing our light to shine in every dark area of our private and public life and allowing our salt to season and stop the rot in every sphere of our national life”.

He added that it was an open secret that public sector corruption was the greatest threat to the democracy, development, peace and stability of the country.

“How do we defend the Christian faith when 70 per cent of all monies siphoned illegally from the public purse every year were stolen by Christians who are supposed to be the light and salt of this world?” he asked, admonishing all Christians to first hold themselves accountable and then teach and discipline corrupt people in the society to eschew corruption and petty stealing.

According to them, Mr Osei-Owusu’s refusal to admit the motion was an abuse of his office as he was not mindful of Article 296, which entreated public officers to act with discretion and while exercising that discretion, should be fair and candid and not be capricious.

“In our view, he was politically biased in his refusal to admit the motion than doing his work as the Speaker of the House,” he said.

Minority Chief Whip, Mohamed Mubarak Muntaka, made the allegation when he addressed the media in Parliament in reaction to the First Deputy Speaker’s directive to the Clerk of Parliament, through a letter, to inform the Minority Leader that his motion has been refused.

The Minority Leader filed the motion challenging the First Deputy Speaker’s ruling after his earlier motion seeking to annul the approval of the 2022 budget was rejected.

Mr Iddrisu, in his motion, complained about the unfair ruling on the part of Mr Osei-Owusu who sat for Speaker Alban Bagbin.

He contended that the December 1, 2021 ruling by Mr Osei-Owusu breaches the rules, conventions, and practices of the House and was motivated by bias.

Mr Muntaka also stated that the Minority Leader would respond officially to the letter from the First Deputy Speaker and to remind him that he was unfair by refusing to admit the motion.

He said the Order 13 (2) that Mr Osei-Owusu quoted was simply referring to the absence of the Speaker of Parliament and the First Deputy Speaker taking the authority of the Speaker and therefore it had no relation with the motion that the Minority side was seeking.

He argued that Order 81 talks about the steps to submit a motion while Order 82 clarifies the procedure to move a motion and second it, adding that, when motion is moved and seconded, it cannot be withdrawn unless, with the leave of the House and so, the purported ruling by the First Deputy Speaker on the earlier motion was of no effect.

Mr Muntaka also indicated that the Minority side intends to exploit other means to challenge the First Deputy Speaker’s refusal to admit the motion or possibly wait for Speaker Alban Bagbin to file another motion.

On the disagreements between the Minority and Majority when Parliament should rise, Mr Muntaka maintained that the House should rise for the Christmas break on December 17, 2021.

He said the Minority side was firm and ready to work and, thus, urged his colleagues from the Majority side to show the same enthusiasm to transact the business of the House.

This comes just a day after an earlier rejection of the Budget by the Minority Caucus had been rescinded and approved by the Majority Caucus.

They argued that, the House rescinding and approving the Budget was unconstitutional and breached the House’s standing orders.

But, Hon. Osei Owusu, popularly known as Joewise, said the Majority did not err in approval the 2022 budget.

Some angry Minority MPs rushed to where the Speaker was sitting to confront him and were prevented by their colleagues on the Majority side.

Member of Parliament for Ashaiman constituency, Ernest Norgbey, angrily pulled the Speaker’s chair in disagreement over his ruling.

Watch the video below:

The Majority MPs staged a walkout prior to the voice vote on the 2022 budget in Parliament on Friday, November 26.

This, David Ansah Opoku, said was warranted based on the “illegal proceedings’, insisting that the budget has not been rejected.

According to Mr Opoku, the Majority felt uncomfortable by the directive of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Aagbin to walkout the Finance Minister from the House.

He further remarked that Parliament allows the engagement of Ministers of State in the House as their presence do not affect the proceedings in Parliament.

The Minority in Parliament is promising a showdown as they meet the Majority for a fresh debate on the 2022 budget on Tuesday, November 30, 2021.

The Majority is hoping to reach a consensus with their colleagues after they rejected the Budget presented by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta on Friday, November 26, 2021.

The debate on the Budget today will see the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu, also New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Bekwai as Speaker since the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin is gone for a medical review in Dubai.

However, these changes, the Minority maintained, will not have any effect on the position taken on the Budget.

National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Ada, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem stated emphatically that, they have the numbers to oppose the budget again.

“All our 137 MPs are in Parliament now. We are ready because the 2022 Budget is already in the dustbin,” she stressed.

The Ada MP urged the Minority to accept the rejection of the 2022 Budget in good faith and come to the negotiating table.

“Instead of showing ego, the Majority must come to us for a consensus because we will not change our stance,” he stated.

According to JoyNews‘ Parliamentary correspondent, Kwesi Parker Wilson, the leaderships of the Minority and Minority Caucuses held separate meetings on Monday to firm their arguments ahead of Tuesday’s business on the floor of the House.

The reported meetings have been necessitated by the events of November 26.

On Friday, November 26, Parliament rejected the 2022 Budget following a series of heated exchanges between members of the two Caucuses.

Infuriated by the turn of events, the Majority, led by Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu staged a walkout after alleging ‘bias’ and ‘disrespect’ on the part of the Speaker, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin.

Proceedings however continued unabated, following which the Minority threw out the Budget, with 137 of its members, present, and voting. The Majority subsequently reacted, describing the Minority’s decision as ‘unconstitutional’.

But in the statement by the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu on Sunday, he refuted the claims of unconstitutionality, describing their colleagues in the Majority as “irresponsible”; and urging them to accept the rejection of the 2022 Budget in good faith.

“The Minority wishes to strongly advise the Majority Leader and Government to accept defeat, acknowledge the rejection of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy by Parliament and focus on discussions on how to save the country from an imminent economic crisis”, the statement said.

Having expressed its reservations about the conduct of the Majority MPs, the Minority called for the government to make certain amendments to the 2022 Budget before they will support it.

The Minority wants the government to withdraw the Agyapa deal and suspend the proposed 1.75% e-levy. The Minority has also advocated for proper reconstruction of paragraph 829 of the Aker Energy deal relating to GNPC’s acquisition of stake from Aker Energy and AGM Petroleum.

In addition to these, the Minority wants government to review the benchmark value for imports as well as provide for the Keta tidal waves disaster.

According to the Minority, without these, it will not approve the 2022 Budget.

This comes three clear hours after the advertised 10:00 am of sittings to begin.

With the debate on the budget expected to be climaxed on Friday, November 26, 2021, the nation is on tenterhooks over whether the policy document will be approved or rejected.

Already, the Minority MPs have served notice they will reject the document due to the introduction of “obnoxious” taxes which they argue will further compound the hardship of the ordinary Ghanaian.

The Majority on the other had argued the budget portends hope as it will create millions of jobs for the teeming unemployed youth.

But with the Majority side of the House still empty after more than three hours, members of the Minority have had cause to worry over the development.

Addressing the media in Parliament, MP for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, questioned the undue delay in beginning sittings for the crucial vote on the budget to be taken.

“We as conscientious Members of Parliament, who have been sent to Parliament by our constituents to do government business and make sure that the ultimate interest of the country is protected, know that today, we must have the conclusion of the budget debate.”

“…….not even one member of the NPP has shown up in the chamber. The Minority is serious, fully in our numbers in the Chamber, the Speaker is ready to commence the business of the House but notice getting to him by the Clerks at table indicate that no member of the NPP is present,” he said.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Friday, the South Dayi MP said it was necessary to apologise for the incident as Mr Afenyo-Markin is the Deputy Majority Leader in the House.

“He is my leader in Parliament. Even if he said anything and I thought that it was not correct, I needed not to exchange words with him. On that note, I apologise to him,” Mr Dafeamekpor told host Ernest Manu.

That notwithstanding, the lawmaker criticised Nhyiaeso MP, Stephen Amoah for his approach to the situation, describing it as irregular.  

“The manner in which the MP for Nhyiaeso, Stephen Amoah, attacked me and Emmanuel Kofi Buah is most irregular. There is a disaster. All we want is some comfort for our people in Anlo and a long-standing solution to the problem,” he lamented.

Earlier in Parliament, a photo used by the Majority Caucus in Parliament on the issue of tidal waves, which has devasted communities in the Volta Region, nearly started a fight between the two sides at a press conference.

Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Afenyo-Markin showed a photo of scenes from the disaster caused by the tidal waves to the press. But former Energy Minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah and South Dayi MP, Rockson Nelson Dafiamekpor started heckling him.

According to them, Mr. Afenyo-Markin was misinforming the media with the picture.

The clash occurred towards the end of the presser when the Bole Bamboi MP, Yusif Sulemana came to snatch the image from Mr Afenyo-Markin, and handed it over to Mr Dafeamekpor.

Nhyeaso MP, Stephen Amoah, then followed up to retrieve the image from Mr Dafeamekpor. This led to the clash.

Mr Afenyo-Markin was then seen asking Mr Dafeamekpor to hand over the image to him.

The latter obliged and Mr Afenyo-Markin left.

Both the Majority and Minority Leaders; Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Haruna Iddrisu respectively received the petition on behalf of Speaker Alban Bagbin, who is currently out of the country.

According to Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Speaker of Parliament is attending to calls from a colleague in Nigeria, hence his absence.

“The Speaker of Parliament has had to respond to an invitation by his colleague in Nigeria and that is why you are not seeing him here. The Speaker is not by any means avoiding the demonstrators. That is the reason the Minority Leader and I are here to receive your petition for and on behalf of the institution and because it was addressed to the Speaker, we are receiving it for and on behalf of the Speaker,” the Majority Leader told the protesters.

The opposition party and its supporters took to the streets of Accra today to protest the “growing levels of insecurity, lawlessness, and impunity under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government” and also demand social justice for the unemployed youth in the country.

The group marched from the Accra Mall to Jubilee House and the Parliament House to present its petitions for the grievances raised to be addressed.

Interacting with the protesters, Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, gave the assurance that the grievances in the petition will be looked at and if need be, the security agencies will be called before the House to respond to the issues.

According to the Tamale South Member of Parliament, the misconduct of the military cannot be tolerated.

“Thank you very much for presenting the petition on behalf of the youth of Ghana. Our assurance to you is that Parliament will not fail the people of Ghana in demanding that right be done and right be done to safeguard the peace and stability of our country. Essentially, the unruly behaviour of the security agencies is not acceptable anywhere. We will look into it where it requires that we reach the security agencies of those concerns raised, Parliament will not hesitate in doing that.

“Freedom of expression is important and freedom to demonstrate is important in a democracy for the expression of legitimate grievances. Where you have come is the forum where these grievances will be digested. So you will hear from the Parliament of Ghana,” he stated.

He further noted that there will be a full debate after the Speaker of the House is apprised of the issues raised in the petition.

Also, the Majority Leader subscribed to Mr Iddrisu’s view on the need to protect the lives of civilians and thanked the protesters for embarking on a peaceful demonstration.

For Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, this action implies that democracy exists in the country although there is the need to strengthen some legislations.

“The right to demonstrate is guaranteed by the constitution. Every life in this country matters and the expression of our constitutional rights should not result in bloodletting and that is why I am happy you are here, that you have organised this peaceful demonstration and come to Parliament. (It) should suggest to everybody that democracy is working in Ghana. We are not a perfect democracy and those infractions must be dealt with in order to correct the system,” he concluded.

Although the content of the communication is still unknown, the Daily Graphic has gathered that it has to do with which side of the House Mr Amoako, who contested and won the Fomena seat as an independent candidate, wants to align and sit with.

With the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) having 137 parliamentary seats each, the decision of Mr Asiamah is expected to decide which of the parties will sit on the right side of the Speaker, which is usually reserved for the Majority in Parliament.

Although Mr Asiamah has, in media interviews after the election, indicated that he would align with the NPP in Parliament, the Daily Graphic understands that he is yet to officially write to the Speaker and the leadership of the house to inform them about his decision.

Interview

In an interview with the Daily Graphic after the meeting with the Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin, to resolve, by consensus, all contentious issues, the Leader of the NDC Caucus, Haruna Iddrisu, said some of the issues that were discussed included which side would sit on the right and left sides of the Speaker and membership of the committees.

He said the Speaker and the leadership of both sides were determined to restore the honour and dignity of Parliament.

He noted that the leadership was awaiting an official communication from Mr Asiamah to resolve some of those issues.

“I am hopeful and certain that before Friday, we would have resolved all issues,” he assured.

Confusion over majority

The issue of which party constitutes the Majority in Parliament has dominated the media space since the elections were over with both parties referring to themselves as the Majority in Parliament.

Ahead of the swearing in of the eighth Parliament, the confusion escalated as NDC MPs took over the seats of the Majority side in Parliament.

Every attempt by the NPP to convince the NDC MPs to relocate to the left side of the House fell on deaf ears, and left with no other choice, the NPP MPs had to settle for the Minority side of the House.

Although the NDC succeeded in getting its nominee, Mr Bagbin, elected as the new Speaker of the House, the issue of who sits on the right side is still unresolved, as the House prepares to resume sitting on Friday.

Aside the issue of which party constitutes the Majority, another issue which still remains unresolved is the composition of the various committees and which party is supposed to have more members on each of the committees.

It is against this background that the Speaker of the House decided to meet the leadership of both sides to resolve all the issues before Parliament resumes sitting.

The Minority’s boycott of the SoNA was in fulfillment of an earlier threat to do so, should the president fail to disburse its share of the District Assemblies Common Fund.  

READ:

• SONA 2020: Majority lyrically sneers Minority out of parliament [Video]
• SONA 2020: NPP MPs occupy seats of Minority after walk out [Video]
• SoNA 2020: Akufo-Addo catches cold delivering address

But, the boycotting of a SoNA by a Minority side in Parliament is nothing new. In 2013, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) then the Minority in Parliament also boycotted a State of the Nation Address that was to be delivered by former President John Dramani Mahama.

The NPP boycotted former President Mahama’s State of the Nation Address to challenge the legitimacy of his presidency after the 2012 general election.