Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has suspended sitting ‘sine die’ while refusing to comment on the ex-parte motion served on him regarding the decision by the Supreme Court to reverse his declaration of four seats vacant.
The Speaker suspended the House indefinitely on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, while indicating that the House had the quorum to conduct business but was unable to take decisions.
He informed the House that he had received a communication from the Supreme Court but did not go into detail regarding its contents.
He cited a lack of sufficient MPs to take decisions, saying they had the number to form quorum but lacked the required number to take decisions.
On October 18, the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling, which declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
The court ordered Parliament to recognise and allow the four MPs to fully represent their constituencies and carry out their official duties.
This directive will remain in effect, not for the 10 days initially requested by the applicants, but until the Supreme Court delivers its final ruling on the case.
The constituencies and the lawmakers are:
- Cynthia Morrison, the current NPP MP for Agona West constituency in the Central Region, has filed to run as an independent candidate.
- Kwadwo Asante, the current NPP MP for the Suhum constituency in the Eastern Region, who has also filed to run as an independent candidate.
- Andrew Asiamah Amoako, currently an independent MP for the Fomena constituency in the Ashanti Region, has filed to run in the upcoming election as a candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
- Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central), NDC.
Read below the Speaker’s Communication
FORMAL COMMUNICATION ON THE CURRENT STATE OF THE Parliament of Ghana, 22nd OCTOBER 2024
1. Hon. Members, as you may recall on Thursday, I informed the House pursuant to Order 18 of the Standing Orders on the occurrence of vacancies in the House in relation to 4 Members.
2. Yesterday, I received a process from the Supreme Court, which is a ruling from the Supreme Court, pursuant to an Ex Parte application, directing Parliament to recognise and allow the 4 affected Members of Parliament to duly represent their constituents and conduct full scope of duties of their offices as Members of Parliament pending final determination of a suit filed by Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markin.
3. By Articles 102 and 104 of the Constitution, 1992, and Order 64(1) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, I note that we currently have a quorum to transact business but not to take decisions. Read Articles 102, 104 of the Constitution, and Standing Orders 64(1).
4. Consequently, in view of the current circumstances, the fact that there is a question on the composition and constitution of Parliament and having regard to the public interest and the exigencies of the state of affairs in Parliament, I will proceed to, in accordance with Standing Orders 59(1), adjourn the House indefinitely, ie, sine die.
Standing Orders 59 (1)
“The Speaker may, in consultation with leadership, suspend a meeting of the House indefinitely or for a period determined by the Speaker, having regard to the public interest and the exigencies of the state of affairs in the country. “
5. Hon Members, I have consulted leadership, and I am exercising my discretion to suspend the meeting of the House indefinitely.
6. The House is accordingly adjourned.
Thank you.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana