The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has officially declared four parliamentary seats vacant. Among these, three are held by New Patriotic Party (NPP) members, while one belongs to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The affected Members of Parliament include Andrew Asiamah Amoako, the Second Deputy Speaker and MP for Fomena, who, though an independent MP, has filed to contest the 2024 parliamentary elections on the NPP ticket. Others include Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central), Cynthia Mamle Morrison (Agona East), and Kwadwo Asante (Suhum), all of whom are NPP MPs who have decided to run as independent candidates in the 2024 elections.
As a result of this development, the NDC now holds the majority in Parliament with 136 seats, while the NPP has 135 seats, making them the minority.
This ruling follows a motion filed by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, citing Article 97(1)(g) of the Constitution, which led to the seats being declared vacant. Consequently, Ajumako Enyan Essiam MP Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson will now serve as the Majority Leader, with Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin becoming the Minority Leader.
In response to this decision, Mr. Afenyo-Markin has filed an injunction at the Supreme Court, challenging the move.