Chaos in Parliament: Speaker Suspends Sitting Indefinitely Amidst Majority Dispute

Parliament descended into chaos last Tuesday, with an atmosphere of anarchy, rancor, and confusion making the house ungovernable. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, was forced to adjourn the sitting indefinitely (sine die) amidst the uproar.

The turmoil began when both the Majority (NPP) and Minority (NDC) factions claimed to hold majority status, resulting in a scramble for seats on the right-hand side of the Speaker, traditionally reserved for the Majority. The section, meant to accommodate 138 members, was overwhelmed as all 275 members of Parliament attempted to occupy the space.

In the midst of the chaos, the NPP Majority, led by Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, left the chamber after addressing the press. Afenyo-Markin asserted that the NPP would not engage in disruptive tactics like the NDC Minority, which he accused of trying to make the country ungovernable. The NPP members sang their party’s anthem as they exited the chamber, which is temporarily housed at the Dome near the International Conference Centre due to renovations at the Parliament House.

Minority Responds

As the NPP walked out, the NDC Minority, now sitting in the Majority’s place, clapped and chanted “Away, Away, Away,” mockingly chasing their colleagues. They then broke into their national anthem, emphasizing the line, “And Help Us to Resist Oppressors’ Rule.”

Uneasy Calm

After the NPP left, an uneasy calm settled over the chamber, though shouting and emotional outbursts continued, making it difficult for journalists to report accurately amidst the confusion.

Speaker Arrives

The Speaker arrived around noon, having reportedly been in a meeting with the house’s leadership. After opening prayers and the recitation of the national pledge, he suspended the session indefinitely, citing relevant constitutional articles.

Speaker Bagbin explained that his previous ruling had declared four parliamentary seats vacant, reducing the NPP’s majority from 138 to 135, as three MPs had gone independent, thus leaving the NPP in the minority. He further noted that Afenyo-Markin had taken the matter to the Supreme Court, seeking an injunction on the ruling, prompting the indefinite suspension of Parliament.

Background

Tensions have been high since the Speaker’s ruling on Thursday, October 17, 2024, which declared four seats vacant. The NDC, led by Ato Forson, declared themselves the majority, while the NPP, under Afenyo-Markin, continued to insist they were the rightful majority. The dispute culminated in the physical and verbal clashes in Parliament on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, leading to the Speaker’s decision to suspend the sitting.

By S. O. Ankamah