The National Democratic Congress (NDC), the opposition party, has stated that it intends to use its newly acquired majority in Parliament to make important changes, possibly toppling the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration in the process.
The declaration of majority status by the NDC comes after a sharp change in the legislative process.
Four Members of Parliament, namely Andrew Asiamah Amoako, Kwadjo Asante, Cynthia Mamle Morrison, and Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah, were declared to have resigned from office because they chose to run as independents or join different political parties in the 2018 elections.
Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court to interpret Article 97(1)(g) and (h) prior to the Speaker’s decision.
Nevertheless, in what many believe to be a coup attempt against the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Supreme Court ruled that the four parliamentary seats were vacant.
The four MPs’ seats are essentially kept in place pending the outcome of additional legal actions thanks to the court’s decision to grant a stay of execution on the Speaker’s verdict.
With the NDC now holding 136 seats and the NPP holding 135 due to tensions sparked by the NDC’s plans to introduce legislation and maintain its majority status, Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of the seats vacant has a significant impact on the balance of power in Parliament. Many are wondering what this means for the NPP government going forward.
Despite the announcement by the MPs of the New Patriotic Party to abstain from Parliamentary proceedings until a later date.
In a news conference held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, under the leadership of Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, the NDC disclosed its intentions to uphold its majority status and present proposals drafted by private members aimed at easing Ghanaians’ plight.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, declared four parliamentary seats empty since the candidates chose to run as independents or switch parties. This is where the NDC’s claim of majority status originates.
Forson declared, “We will jealously protect our new majority status and will not bow, retreat, nor surrender our lawfully earned status. We will also not abdicate our responsibility to the people, no matter what!”
The NDC intends to propose legislation to do away with the e-levy and other irksome levies, which they claim have made Ghana into an extremely taxed country that negatively impacts both individuals and companies.
“The opportune time has come, and we are determined to immediately commence the process of reversing the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia mess and put our country back on track,” said Ato Forson, underscoring the NDC’s commitment to fighting for the people of Ghana.
NDC Minority Leader, Ato Forson statement below
Source: newsthemegh.com