Ghana’s Parliament Suspended Indefinitely – What Happens Next?

Ghana, West Africa’s beacon of democracy, has its Parliament thrown into chaos as Speaker Alban Bagbin indefinitely suspended proceedings, citing a lack of quorums, in a stunning move that has left the political landscape in turmoil.

Bagbin’s abrupt decision comes amid a swirl of controversy, following a cryptic communication from the Supreme Court whose details he chose not to disclose. The announcement sparked a wave of speculation as he halted all parliamentary activities, reportedly due to insufficient attendance.

At the heart of the turmoil are four Members of Parliament who recently declared their intentions to run as independent candidates in the upcoming elections— a move that has thrown the balance of power into disarray. Acting swiftly, Speaker Bagbin declared their seats vacant after a petition from former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, citing Article 97 (1) (g) of the Ghanaian 1992 Constitution. Iddrisu claimed that by announcing their candidacies, the MPs had forfeited their positions in Parliament.

This bold declaration temporarily shifted power in Parliament, transforming the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) into the new Majority, while the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) found itself suddenly four seats short of a majority. The NPP’s hold over the House seemed to slip through its fingers—until Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin struck back.

In a dramatic turn of events, Afenyo-Markin challenged Bagbin’s ruling in the Supreme Court, seeking an urgent injunction. The Court intervened on October 18, ordering the four embattled MPs to remain in their positions until the legal dust settles. But the NDC, emboldened by Bagbin’s initial decision, is standing its ground, claiming a newfound majority and refusing to back down.

With the Speaker’s order in limbo and the Supreme Court’s directive hanging over Parliament, the nation watches closely, waiting to see how this fierce power struggle will play out.