Minority Leader and Effutu MP, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has criticized the Majority Caucus for their frequent absence from parliamentary sessions.

According to him, some National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs have abandoned their duties to lobby for positions at the Jubilee House.

Expressing his disappointment on the floor of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin described the trend as a failure of the Majority to fulfill their legislative responsibilities, questioning their commitment to governance and accountability.

“Mr. Speaker, this morning, they populated the chamber. All of a sudden, they are all out—empty seats. And this is the time that the Finance Minister is here to lay a paper. Look at the empty seats.

“They’ve left again, going to look for jobs at the Jubilee House. They should come to the chamber of Parliament and work. Look at all the empty seats. You are 38 in number; ceremonial majority, ceremonial majority,” he fumed.

The Effutu MP made the accusations during a press conference on Monday.

“In fact, on that day, one of his consequential orders was that the Selection Committee must meet immediately to reconstitute the Appointments Committee. However, the NDC Majority Caucus chose to proceed with the vetting process without any due regard for this directive,” he said.

However, expressing his view on the directive, Mr. Afenyo-Markin emphasized the importance of engagement.

“On our part, we believe that though we disagree with Mr. Speaker, out of deference to him, we must still engage him, and we will engage him. We started this engagement over the weekend but we were not able to meet the Speaker. We will continue to his office today,” he added.

The directive followed the chaotic scene during the vetting session on Thursday, January 30, which led to the two-week suspension of four MPs from parliamentary proceedings.

The suspended MPs include Majority and Minority Chief Whips, Frank Annoh-Dompreh and Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, and Jerry Ahmed Shaib.

Speaker Bagbin has also set up a bipartisan committee to probe the incident and propose recommendations for appropriate action.

The seven-member committee, chaired by Emmanuel Bedzrah, is tasked with submitting a report within 10 days.

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Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on the state of Parliament, Mr Afenyo-Markin outlined potential challenges the MPs could face, particularly with its promise to operate a lean government.

The NDC has announced plans to reduce the size of the government to 60 ministers if they come to power.

However, Mr Afenyo-Markin foresees this pledge creating significant problems for the party.

“They’ve promised 60 Ministers, and of the 60, some would have to come from Parliament because of the constitutional custom,” he explained.

“So, they are going to have about 35 or a maximum of 40 MPs who will be Ministers and deputy Ministers. If you take that out of their 170 plus seats, they will have about 140 MPs who will be redundant in Parliament.”

He highlighted that with a reduced ministerial team, many NDC MPs would be left without additional responsibilities beyond their parliamentary duties.

According to Mr Afenyo-Markin, this could lead to frustrations as these MPs contend with demands from their constituents but lack the financial resources to meet them.

“These MPs would have demands from their constituents and will be expected to go to their constituencies, and the money will not be there because only a few would have had ministerial appointments,” he remarked.

Recounting his own experiences with the current government, Mr Afenyo-Markin noted that a similar situation had previously affected the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He recounted the difficulties in mobilizing MPs for parliamentary proceedings due to such frustrations.

“It got to a point where it was very difficult to get our members into the chamber, where Mr Speaker would tell me, ‘Leader, look behind you.’ Very soon, I would tell their Majority Leader, ‘Look behind, though you have 170 plus, but your MPs will not be there,’” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin MP believes this dynamic could weaken the NDC’s ability to function effectively in Parliament even with a clear majority.

He warned that the sheer number of MPs without ministerial portfolios could result in a lack of enthusiasm and participation in parliamentary activities, reducing their contributions to little more than echoing affirmations in the chamber.

“All they would have to come and do in Parliament is to do ‘yeah yeah,’” he stated.

With the NDC now holding a majority in Parliament, Mr Afenyo-Markin’s observations shed light on the potential challenges of balancing governance with parliamentary performance.

His insights underscore the complexities of fulfilling campaign promises while managing the expectations of a large caucus and its constituents.

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This follows a request by the Majority Caucus to the Speaker of Parliament for an urgent session. They suggested that Parliament be recalled to sit on November 28 and November 29.

Speaking during a campaign rally in the Western Region, Mr Mahama emphasized the NDC’s stance, signalling strong opposition to what the party views as attempts to push through controversial decisions under the guise of urgency.

He criticised NPP MPs’ decision to recall Parliament a few days before the election noting that the NDC’s focus remains on the campaign.

“Now they want Parliament to be recalled for deliberations just 12 days to the elections – you say we should stop campaigning and come to Parliament. If they like they should go but the NDC will not go to Parliament. After we finish voting and we see the smoothness level, we will open Parliament for all to come,” he said

This stance aligns with NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia’s directive for the party’s MPs to boycott the recall, claiming it serves “corrupt interests.”

Both leaders have questioned the legitimacy of the Majority’s request, especially close to elections.

The NDC Parliamentary Caucus, led by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has formally appealed to Speaker Alban Bagbin to reject the recall request.

In a memo dated November 25, Dr Forson argued that the petition fails to meet constitutional and procedural requirements under Article 112(3) and Standing Order 53(1).

He noted that the Speaker has the discretion to reject the request, citing insufficient justification for the urgency.

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The Second Deputy Majority Whip, Alex Tetteh Djornobuah, made the claim, asserting that the NDC leadership has repeatedly interfered in parliamentary business.

“I disagree with the National Chairman of the NDC. If you recall, about two or three weeks ago, what happened in Parliament was not the fault of the Members of Parliament.

“It was due to the control of the [NDC] National Chairman because we have witnessed this on several occasions when we are trying to conduct business in Parliament,” he said in an interview on Accra-based Citi FM.

The Sefwi Akontombra MP made these comments in response to a directive from Asiedu Nketia, popularly known as General Mosquito, instructing NDC MPs not to return to Parliament if a recall is issued.

Asiedu Nketia had alleged that such sessions would only serve corrupt interests, casting doubt on the motives behind the recall of Parliament.

In reaction, Mr. Djornobuah described the NDC Chairman’s statement as harmful to the legislative process and urged that it should not be tolerated.

“If the NDC National Chairman, who claims they are the next alternative to govern the country, is putting out such statements, I don’t think Ghanaians should accept this.

“We have a responsibility to work for Ghanaians, and if the Speaker, in his wisdom, recalls Members of Parliament to transact business for the nation, we on the Majority side will show up,” he affirmed.

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The MPs behind the bill are Francis Xavier Sosu (Madina), Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson (Ajumako Enyan Esiam), Isaac Adongo (Bolgatanga Central), Teddy Safori Addi (Ayensuano), and Alhassan Suhuyini (Tamale North).

In a letter to the Clerk of Parliament, the MPs highlighted the current economic challenges and stressed the need for policies that ease financial burdens on citizens. They cited the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) along with the ongoing issues of unemployment and economic hardship.

They argued that there is an urgent need for tax relief measures to help alleviate the cost of living for Ghanaians, promote savings and investments, and foster sustainable economic growth.

The 10% withholding tax on gaming winnings was introduced by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on August 15, 2023, and applies to all gross gaming winnings.

This tax replaced the previous 15% VAT on each stake and was implemented under the amended Income Tax Act of 2023 (Act 1094).

Through this bill, the MPs aim to provide financial relief and foster economic resilience among Ghanaians, particularly in light of mounting economic pressures.

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The MPs have taken seats on the majority side of the House, leaving the minority side completely vacant.

Adaklu MP, Governs Kwame Agbodza, had vowed that the caucus would occupy the majority side in accordance with Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four seats being vacant.

With the NDC holding 136 seats and the NPP reduced to 135, the NDC quickly asserted itself as the new majority.

Although the Supreme Court on Friday, October 18, issued a stay of execution on the ruling, the NDC MPs insist they take instructions from Speaker Bagbin and not the Apex Court.

Amidst the controversy, the Speaker, during a press briefing on Wednesday, stated that he does not decide where MPs sit in the chamber.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that no New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker is in the chamber yet, with the sitting scheduled for 10 a.m.

But the Majority Chief Whip and Tolon MP, Habib Iddrisu, has assured that the side won’t fight or be caught up in any chaos in the chamber.

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The NDC has said the approach adopted by the Speaker is a model of parliamentary leadership.

Speaker Bagbin indefinitely suspended parliamentary sitting on Tuesday after acknowledging the Supreme Court’s stay of order on the declaration of four vacant seats.

A statement signed by the NDC General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey described how Mr Bagbin handled the session as a masterclass.

“The mature leadership he displayed during Tuesday’s parliamentary proceedings was exceptional. We applaud him for working in the interest of Parliament and the people of Ghana and enhancing the integrity of Parliament with his leadership,” the statement read in parts.

The NDC further expressed confidence that the integrity and independence of parliamentary processes would be upheld and the House will continue to prioritise the interests of the people of Ghana above partisan interests.

Additionally, the party commended its parliamentarians for showing unwavering resoluteness.

“Their steadfastness inspires confidence and hope in our determination to resist oppressor’s rule and to give expression to the faith that power ultimately belongs to the people, and no arm of government or institution can subvert the will of the people,” it added.

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Read the full statement below:

The L.I. grants the President authority to issue mining leases for exploration within forest reserves in Ghana.

The trio are Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini, Madina MP; Francis Xavier Sosu and North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

The lawmakers submitted the bill in a formal memo to the Clerk of Parliament on Tuesday, October 22, in the wake of the indefinite suspension of the House.

They noted that, this regulation has resulted in significant environmental degradation along with adverse health, economic, and social consequences.

The MPs are therefore of the view that they bear a greater responsibility to ensure the right of Ghanaians to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

They emphasised that their duty includes holding the Executive in check and crafting laws and policies that protect public health, ecosystems, and the environment.

“Hence, it is in view of the above, and considering that Parliament passed this all-important and consequential L.I. 2462, which among others, grants His Excellency the President, the authority to issue mining leases for exploration in forest reserves, the impact of which has brought so much environmental degradation, as well as health, economic, and social devastation to our country, that we by this proposed Bill, seek to repeal Section 3(2) of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2462), which grants the President the authority to issue mining leases for exploration in forest reserves in Ghana,” portions of the memo read.

The government had earlier announced plans to present a L.I. to Parliament following a public outcry and demands by Organised Labour.

However, Deputy Majority Leader and Sefwi-Akontombra MP, Alex Tetteh Djornobuah has said the House is yet to receive the L.I

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  Read the full memo below:

This was when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs abandoned the chamber after the NDC MPs occupied seats on the majority side.

Ningo Prampram MP, Sam Nartey George was the first in line and was swiftly followed by his colleagues.

They happily sang Arise Ghana Youth amidst salutes as they moved in circles.

The scenes unfolding in Parliament had been anticipated, following the controversy surrounding Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four seats vacant and the subsequent stay of execution of the declaration by the Supreme Court.

The turn out of event has become critical as both the Majority and Minority struggle for dominance amid legal challenges over parliamentary seats.

The NPP Caucus remains determined to protect their Majority side and continue their work without being overshadowed by the Minority.

However, the NDC caucus has also vowed to occupy their new side as the Majority with 136 seats against the NPP’s 135.

Watch the video below:

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Speaking in an interview on  Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr Atta Akyea said the decision is disgraceful and doesn’t speak well of the NDC caucus as lawmakers.

“It is a shame for the NDC to hold onto being the majority despite the Supreme Court. What is honourable about this to the legislature we say we are. why don’t we want to abide by the constitution and why would we say we will flout what the Supreme Court has said? he quizzed.

The NDC MPs have stated they are bound by the Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four seats vacant which makes them the Majority Caucus with 136 seats, not the Supreme Court’s stay of execution.

They have therefore vowed to follow Speaker Bagbin’s initial ruling until further notice.

But to Mr Atta Akyea, this is a politically decision and not constitutionally right.

He stated that, the posture of the opposition MPs are the traits of sore losers in the upcoming election.

“I don’t eve think the people who started the revolution will defy the constitution because even Rawlings adopted the constitution and democratic process.

“If you want the majority, the speaker can’t give you that; you need to go to the grassroots and campaign for the people to decide. Is it when parliament is closing you want to fight for majority? It is very unfortunate,” he bemoaned.

Meanwhile, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the NPP MPs will not avail themselves for any chaos by the NDC.

The Efuttu MP has said the caucus will stage a walkout if they sense any tension.

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The NPP members, led by their leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, on Thursday declared a conditional boycott of the house following Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four seats vacant.

Three of the affected seats belong to the NPP, with the fourth held by the NDC. The decision has engendered a new leadership crisis in parliament, with the NDC which has been the Minority now claiming to be in the Majority.

And according to Dr. Ayine, the “new regime” will kick in on Tuesday when sitting resumes, and on behalf of the electorate, they in the NDC will do what is possible and just, including repealing acts that are ‘repealable’.

Speaking on Citi FM Friday, Dr Ayine wasted no time in pointing at the Electronic Transfers Levy, otherwise called E-Levy, as a policy likely to face repeal proceedings.

Arguing that the issues of who constitutes Majority or Minority in Parliament is by way of numerical strengths and are “as clear as daylight”, he said if there are issues that require simple majority rather than a two-thirds majority, they will proceed in the absence of the NPP members who say they will only return to the house upon a ruling by the Supreme Court on an injunction application against the Speaker.

Said Ayine; “We will be filing private members motions.. We will repeal the obnoxious pieces of legislation they have passed, the taxes such as e-Levy and so on and so forth. In fact we will start implementing our manifesto on Tuesday.”

“You mean you’ll start doing your own thing”, suggested host Bernard Avle, to which Dr. Ayine responded; “No, it’s not our own thing, we are working on behalf of the people of this country, we were elected to work on behalf of the people of this country so if they stay out, we have the mandate of the people to repeal e-Levy and change the fortunes of the people of this country instantaneously. So they should stay off, we will do business.”

The opposition NDC has hardly hidden its opposition to the Electronic Transfer Levy (e-Levy) since its proposal and subsequent implementation in the 2022 budget to generate revenue from electronic financial transactions, including mobile money transfers, bank transfers, merchant payments, and inward remittances

On November 17, 2021, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta presented the 2022 budget, which included the introduction of a 1.75% e-Levy on electronic transactions.

The NDC, led by its Minority in Parliament, strongly opposed the e-Levy, calling it regressive and burdensome for Ghanaians, especially the poor and those who rely on mobile money services. They argued it would increase the cost of living and hurt small businesses and low-income earners.

As Parliament debated the budget and the e-Levy, NDC MPs staged a strong resistance, and  on December 20, 2021, tensions escalated in Parliament when MPs attempted to vote on the e-Levy. The session ended in a physical brawl between NPP and NDC MPs, with the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, exiting the chamber during the chaos.

The Minority alleged that the government had bypassed proper procedures to pass the e-Levy without consensus.

Following the clashes in Parliament, the NDC intensified its opposition to the e-Levy by organising public forums, demonstrations, and press conferences.

They argued that the government should explore other revenue-generating avenues instead of taxing citizens through electronic transactions.

Key NDC leaders, including the party’s presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama, spoke against the levy, calling it exploitative.

The NDC also capitalised on growing public dissatisfaction, rallying various civil society groups, trade unions, and individual citizens to voice their opposition to the tax.

Many Ghanaians, particularly mobile money agents and small business owners, expressed concerns that the e-Levy would negatively impact their livelihoods.

On February 1, 2022, the Minority in Parliament boycotted a Finance Committee meeting called to discuss the e-Levy. They maintained that the levy was not in the best interest of Ghanaians and should be scrapped or at least significantly reduced.

The NDC threatened to challenge the e-Levy in court if it was passed under contentious circumstances.

They questioned the legality of the government pushing through the tax without broader consultation and parliamentary consensus.

Despite the NDC’s strong opposition, the e-Levy was passed by Parliament on March 29, 2022, in a session marked by the absence of NDC MPs. The government managed to pass the bill with the NPP Majority in the house.

Following the passage, the NDC continued its opposition through public demonstrations. On May 1, 2022, a large protest dubbed the “Yentua” demonstration (“We Won’t Pay” in Akan) was organised in Accra, led by the NDC and various activist groups.

Then in June 2022, three NDC MPs—Haruna Iddrisu (Minority Leader), Mahama Ayariga, and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa—filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of the e-Levy’s passage. They argued that the bill was passed without the Speaker of Parliament and without the required quorum.

On July 27, 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the government, dismissing the NDC’s case against the e-Levy’s passage. The court held that the government had followed proper procedures in passing the tax.

As the government proceeded with the implementation of the e-Levy, the NDC maintained its opposition, vowing to repeal or review the levy if they won the 2024 general election.

John Dramani Mahama has promised to reverse the e-Levy if the NDC came to power, citing it as an unfair burden on the populace.

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This follows Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four seats vacant over the MPs’ decision to cross carpets in the December 7 election.

The ruling on Thursday was on the back of a motion by Tamale South MP and former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, invoking Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution.

Three seats held by New Patriotic Party (NPP) members and one seat by an NDC member have been affected.

The affected lawmakers legislators are the NDC’s Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah of Amenfi Central constituency, Andrew Amoakoh Asiamah of Fomena, Kojo Asante, NPP MP for Suhum in the Eastern Region, and NPP’s Cynthia Morrison of Agona West constituency.

Speaker Bagbin said once the notice of polls had duly confirmed that the four MPs were going independent, they had no business to remain as MPs in the current Parliament.

Following the development, the NDC holds 136 seats while the NPP has 135 seats.

Meanwhile, the NPP MPs have vowed to boycott parliament, pending the ruling on an application on the matter at the Supreme Court.

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According to him, they went there solely to demand answers and remind Ghanaians that, the Akufo-Addo government has failed in its promise to commission the project on March 6, 2024.

“We were not there to mock God. We were only there to ensure that the right thing was done. We only stormed there to remind government of its failed promises,” he said during an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem on Thursday.

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On March 6, some NDC Members of Parliament went to the premises of the National Cathedral to commission the unfinished project, aiming to highlight the government’s failure regarding the controversial project.

As Minority MPs, Mr. Norgbey clarified that, they were demanding full accountability.

He said contractors had abandoned the project due to lack of payment two years ago.

“We are demanding a comprehensive report on how much it has cost the state to replace and compensate some owners of demolished properties and how much is still outstanding, considering that aggrieved demolished property owners such as Waterstone Realty have resorted to the court,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, NDC has called for the immediate termination of the contract, stating that the longer the project remains, the greater the cost to the taxpayer.

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Some Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) led by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, have embarked on a symbolic gesture to commission the uncompleted National Cathedral.

The exercise which took place on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, was to mock the government over its failure to complete the project which it pledged to commission and open today.

The lawmakers did not kowtow to initial attempts by security operatives who were deployed to the site to send them away.

Despite being denied entry to the construction site, the Minority MPs reached an agreement with security personnel to stand at the entrance.

Mr Ablakwa addressed the press to voice their discontent with the ongoing project and its associated costs.

He stated that, their symbolic act of commissioning underscored their critique of the shortcomings in the government’s handling of the project.

“When the act of Parliament had to grind on him [Ofori-Atta], he had to come and beg. Your instructions are that we should not enter, we will not enter, we will stand at the entrance,” Sam George MP for Ningo-Prampram said.

They had balloons of the colours of the Ghana flag arranged in an arch with a ribbon at the ends to hold it in place.

They then cut the ribbon to commission the Cathedral on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

“We commission this expensive hole, on behalf of Dr Bawumia, President Akufo-Addo and Ken Ofori-Atta,” the declared.

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Watch the video above:

The party’s commendation is in recognition of what it describes as the MPs show of patriotism by voting against the motion on the budget.

Parliament on Thursday, December 7, approved the budget after the Speaker, Alban Bagbin conducted a headcount following the presentation on November 15.

The headcount, conducted today, was initially resisted by Majority Leader Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

However, the Speaker did not budge, insisting that he was within his mandate in deciding to go with that modality.

All 138 Majority MPs voted ‘yes’ in support of the budget while the 136 Minority MPs voted ‘no’ with Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson absent.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Friday, the National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, said the move of the MPs was in order.

He stated that, the budget was insensitive and the MPs put the interest of Ghanaians first by rejecting it.

“The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government is further introducing taxes which will further deepen the excruciating hardship Ghanaians are already reeling under. Ghanaians should embrace themselves for more hardship but the NDC applauds all members of the Minority caucus for not lending support.

This 2024 Bye Bye budget signals the end of the road for the failed Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government which has completely lost touch with the reality of Ghanaians,” he said.

Mr. Gyamfi assured the MPs will not relent in their quest to keep government on its toes and ensure the right things are done.

“I am not a parliamentarian and will not pretend to know their strategies but I can confidently say that when it comes to appropriation, they will do what is in the interest of Ghanaians. They will prove that NDC and NPP are not the same,” he added.

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They argue that, government appears indifferent to the extensive damage occurring along the coast.

Since the start of the year, strong ocean currents have swept away both businesses and residential properties, rendering thousands of southern Volta region residents homeless.

A group of MPs, led by Emmanuel Bedzrah, the leader of the Volta NDC MPs, and Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minority Chief Whip visited the affected communities in the Anlo, Keta, and Ketu South Municipalities and stressed the urgent need for action.

Member of Parliament for the Adaklu constituency, Governs Kwame Agbodza said NDC’s support for the government hinges on its commitment to include the Keta Sea Defense Project in its 2024 budget.

“Bawumia is busily looking for votes and does not even care about the people that are going to vote for him and God willing, he will not be a President…if we don’t see anything in the 2024 budget, then forget it, he will not get our support for anything at all” he said in an interview on Citi News

Also, the MP for Ketu South constituency, Abla Dzifa Gomashie appealed to government to activate the West African Coastline Management Area Resilient Fund to expedite the completion of the sea defence project.

“I am told that the World Bank and the IMF have some arrangements with Benin and Togo for the West African Coastline Management Area Resilient Fund. Why is our country not participating in that exercise, why are we not applying for it so we save the coastline of our shores?” she quizzed.

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Nicknamed the “Church to Church, Market to Market” campaign, it was led by the MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; MP for South Dayi, Joyce Tetteh, and MP for Jomoro, Dorcas Affo-Toffey.

The MPs and the team that accompanied them toured towns and villages within the constituency which has become the hotspot for political activities following the declaration of the Assin North seat as vacant by Parliament. 

Message

Their message to the electorate was to support and elect Mr Quayson as the MP in the upcoming bye-election to undo what they claimed was an injustice when the Supreme Court rendered his election in the 2020 parliamentary election null and void.

“It was a successful house-to-house, church-to-church, market-to-market campaign at the Assin North Constituency in the Central Region.

“This is in support of the NDC candidate James Gyakye Quayson in the June 27 bye-election,” Ms Affo-Toffey wrote on her Facebook page.

Background  

In its judgment in the case of Michael Ankomah Nimfah vs James Gyakye Quayson, the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Attorney-General on May 17, 2023, the Supreme Court ordered Parliament to expunge Mr Quayson’s name as a sitting MP from its records.

The court held that the whole process leading to the election of Mr Quayson — filing of nomination forms, the election itself and swearing-in were all in violation of Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution, which bars a person with dual citizenship from contesting as an MP.

It was the considered view of the court that as of the time Mr Quayson filed his nomination forms in October 2020 to contest the Assin North seat, he had not renounced his Canadian citizenship and, therefore, was not qualified per Article 94(2) (a) of the Constitution.

In view of that, the court further held that the EC also violated Article 94(2) (a) of the Constitution when it permitted Mr Quayson to contest the election.

Parliament

Following the judgment, Parliament wrote to the EC to notify it of the vacancy in the Assin North Constituency.

Consequently, the EC set June 27, 2023, for a bye-election in the Assin North Constituency.

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According to him, the party risks disunity going into the 2024 general election if the outbursts and condemnations do not cease.

He said where the party stands now, it is not good for them to fight each other as they need to be more united and be able to achieve their aim of winning the 2024 election.

On Friday 24th March 2023, Parliament held a secret ballot to determine the fate of some six new ministerial nominees.

After the voting, some Minority MPs voted in favour of the appointees which was contrary to a directive by the party for the MPs to reject the nominees.

The outcome did not go well with party folks and executives who have threatened to deal with those members who defied the order.

But Dr Tutu-Boahen, commenting on the matter on Burning Issues hosted by Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom on Adom FM, stated the deed had already happened.

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In his view, it is about time the NDC ignores what has happened and moves forward to focus more on building unity for their common goal of winning 2024 election.

He stated again that if the party keeps pointing fingers and publishing names of those who sent pictures of their votes, they may, unfortunately, add those who did not take pictures of their votes but followed the party’s order.

Such people he warned will be angry within them which will be more dangerous for the party.

“You see if you punish the MPs whom you think defiled your orders, and go ahead to replace them with candidates at their constituencies, the constituent may not like an imposed candidate and we may witness what happened at Fomena in 2020 again,’’ Dr Tutu said.

Nabdam MP Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane also said the harm has already been caused and therefore begged his party members to put it behind them so they can focus on their strategies and build peace for the party for 2024.

Speaking on Adom TV’s Badwam Show, he said the lawmakers were entitled to vote as per their will and that of their constituents and did not necessarily have to do the party’s bidding.

“If some Ghanaians were unsure of whom to vote for in the 2024 elections, NDC or John Mahama, some of us will advise them that it will be a disaster for the country.

“If there were such people before this conversation I’m sure by today they have realized that the NDC and former President John Dramani Mahama they present nothing but confusion, a clear and present danger to the sanity of Ghanaians.

“What he said was not something an elderly person should say but the current NDC leaders have proved that they are forceful and don’t like to follow laws. Today MPs are being insulted because they voted as per their will and that of their constituents,” he lashed out.

According to him, the addition of new ministers will not increase the government’s expenditure as they will inherit the same state assets used by their predecessors.

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“If anyone tells you that a reduction in the number of ministers will cut down government’s expenditure, it’s a lie.”

“All the approved ministers already are paid because they are MPs and government appointees. Ministers who resigned returned their official cars and their offices are going to be occupied by the new ones. So which cost are they talking about?”

He disclosed that although President Akufo-Addo has more appointees, the cost of running his public office is less.

“What Akufo-Addo has done that pleases some of us is that the cost of running his public office is less, Have you heard about double salaries in Akufo-Addo’s tenure? When John Mahama was president, ministers recyeive double salaries, one for being an MP and the other for being a minister.”

To him, the lawmakers putting their friendships and personal interests above the party’s is shameful and an act of indiscipline.

“I think that it’s shameful I think that it’s not done, I think that it’s an act of indiscipline from our honourable members. Those who did that must be punished,” he said.

“I want to be a deputy general secretary of a party that upholds rules and upholds discipline. I want to believe if this happened within the party, anybody can punish us because for me I believe in fairness.

“But this one all those who did that, they must bow down their heads in shame. But all those who stood by the party, as Ghanaians we commend them for a good job done,” he said.

He charged constituents of the MPs to blame them for the turn of events until they are able to prove their innocence.

Mr Gbande explained that party leaders alongside the MPs in unison agreed to disapprove the nominees to serve the interest of Ghanaians.

“Constituencies should hold each of their parliamentarians responsible and accountable to this action. If you’re unable to explain yourself, then you have no business in parliament.

“So this position is not to satisfy the National Chairman, it is not to satisfy the General Secretary, it is not to satisfy the presumptive flag bearer or the council of elders. It is a decision that Ghanaians want and we have taken that decision for them,” he added.

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He went on, “If you think that you don’t agree with the decision, you ought to be bold enough, to be patriotic to come out and state that you are going to go against the decision for one reason or the other. But we don’t sit down and talk and all of us agree. This kind of people you cannot take to war, they’ll betray,” he fumed.

According to him, the party will conduct investigations and punish all those culpable of flouting the party decision.

He said MPs can clear themselves only if they have evidence of their vote.

“We’re conducting investigations as far as I’m concerned the burden of proof lies on the MPs individually that you’ll exonerate yourself by providing evidence. Until you do that you’re guilty of the crime.

“You have to prove your innocence and you have to prove that you upheld the party’s position. That we will do because if we’re not able to bring discipline and order to the party, we don’t have a party,” he said on Accra-based Neat FM.

Parliament has approved nomination of the new ministers appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

This was after secret voting by Members of Parliament (MPs) of both Minority and Majority in Parliament.

By this, Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, K.T Hammond is now the Minister of Trade and Industry with the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr Stephen Amoah serving as his deputy.

The Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong is also the substantive Minister for Food and Agriculture while Stephen Asamoah Boateng is the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

Osei Bonsu Amoah, MP for Akuapem South, who was a Deputy Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, is now a Minister of State at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development.

Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, the MP for Karaga, and the immediate-past Deputy Minister of Energy is now a Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.

The directive, according to the party, is in solidarity with the Minority Caucus’ fight against the obnoxious Constitutional Instrument (CI) the Electoral Commission is seeking to lay before Parliament.

Dubbed Operation Save Our Democracy, the directive will be in force from March 7 to March 31, 2023.

This was contained in a statement signed by the General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, and addressed to all constituency chairmen.

The statement explained the decision was taken at a Functional Executive Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 7.

Aside from the suspension of campaigns, all sitting NDC MPs shall be required to attend all Parliamentary sittings with no member to undertake any travel that will affect his or her attendance in Parliament.

“Any MP who has travelled is hereby recalled immediately,” the statement directed.

It added: “All regional and constituency executives and aspirants are directed to ensure strict compliance with the directives herein.

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“All parliamentary aspirants are hereby directed in their own interest, to strictly adhere to these directives as a breach of same shall attract severe sanctions.”

Meanwhile, the dates for the filing of nominations, vetting of parliamentary aspirants and parliamentary primaries shall remain unchanged.

She was nearly beaten by some MPs who claim that she was fueling confusion in their constituencies and instigating people to contest them in NDC primaries.

She was confronted by these MPs during a caucus meeting of NDC MPs and the NDC leadership in Parliament last week.

MP for Domeabra Obuom, Sophia Ackuaku, who was reportedly very furious with Barbara, was on top of her voice asking Barbara to walk out of the meeting or she will see the bad side of her.

The Obuom MP lamented on how Barbara was allegedly using her office as Deputy General Secretary to sell the constituency to strangers to contest her.

The MP for Agona East, Queenstar Maame Pokua Sawyer, who is facing similar challenges in her constituency, out of anger left the meeting after noticing that Barbara was in.

Another MP, Albert Tetteh Nyakotey of Yilo Krobo, expressed the same concerns of how Barbara was interfering in his constituency, but assured her that she cannot cause any confusion in his constituency because he is on the ground.

It took the intervention of the Minority leadership to restore calm in the meeting after many MPs joined in commenting on how the re-organisation process was creating confusion in their various constituencies.

Elections

The party’s branch elections are expected to be held from June to July 2022 – and the results of that election will be collated from August 1-7, 2022.

Per the guidelines approved by the party’s National Executive Committee, the NDC will hold its ward elections in August 2022, followed by constituency elections in September, 2022.

Barring any change in schedule, the NDC will hold its regional conference in October, 2022, and the entire activities for the re-organisation of the party will be climaxed with a National Congress in November, this year.

According to them, their decision is to protest against the unresolved violence that characterised the 2020 election in the Techiman South constituency where Mr Korsah is the MP.

Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has explained they will stay out because the government has failed to prosecute perpetrators and also bring finality to the incident.

This follows a petition from National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters in the constituency who asked the committee to reject Mr Korsah’s nomination over the issue.

The constituency’s election was characterised by some acts of violence which claimed two lives and left several others injured after a scuffle among supporters of the NDC, the governing New Patriotic Party and some security agents.

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The incident ensued after some NDC supporters alleged that the incumbent government tried to rig the elections.

This, according to them, led to a misunderstanding between the NDC supporters and Electoral Commission officials.

The NDC is currently in court challenging the declaration of the NPP’s Mr Korsah as the winner.

The party is accusing the NPP of using violence to deny the NDC the majority party in Parliament.

He also accused the government of using violence to deny the people of Techiman South their truly elected MP, Joseph Banyere, who was the NDC candidate.

Information Minister-designate Kojo Oppong Nkrumah; Minister-designate for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson and Minister-designate for Roads, Highways and Transportation, Kwasi Amoako-Attah’s approval have been rejected for various reasons.

Made up of a total of 26 members – 13 each from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party – the Committee begun the constitutionally mandated vetting process on February 10 and is expected to finish on March 9.

The NDC MPs, led by Haruna Iddrisu, a Ranking Member on the Committee, have unanimously decided to reject three candidates brought forward by the President.

Reasons for the rejection

Mr Oppong Nkrumah, who appeared before the Committee on February 18, was reportedly rejected on three grounds.

The Minority MPs said they were not satisfied with the answers he gave regarding his private businesses.

According to them, the Ofoase Ayeribi MP has an 83% share in a company called Oval Market Finance. This finance company is believed to be involved in some suspicious third-party lending.

Also, they say he has dealings with MX24 GH, a content creation, digital agency and media production house located at East Legon, which he said he didn’t have anything to do with during his vetting.

Overall, the NDC MPs accused Mr Oppong Nkrumah of being untruthful with his answers during his vetting.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister-designate, Mrs Koomson, who was vetted on the same day was turned down mainly for the gun-shooting incident that occurred during the registration of voters in her constituency.

During her vetting, the 55-year-old admitted to firing warning shots in self-defence and apologised to the Committee and Ghanaians in general for her conduct.

Although MP for Asawaase, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, questioned the genuineness of her apology owing to the fact that she had failed to follow up on her constituents who may have been injured or lost their property in the incident, Mrs Koomson stated that she was unaware of any such injuries or losses.

Following the incident last year, the Crime Officer, who was in charge of investigating the shooting incident, was suspiciously transferred from the Central Region.

According to the Police, the transfer formed part of an ongoing reshuffle in the Ghana Police Service.

So far, no further investigations have been conducted into the matter neither has the MP for Awutu Senya East been cleared of the incident.

In light of this, the Minority MPs believe that her violent act cannot be sanctioned by a ministerial appointment. They have, therefore, rejected her nomination.

Regarding the Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture, he is accused of unilaterally cancelling a horticulture contract with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority on January 11, 2021, without authority.

This cancellation, according to the Minority Group, was unauthorised as he was only a caretaker Minister.

Further, the cancellation, they say, will lead to a $50 million judgment debt for the country.

Following the rejection of these candidates, their nomination will be presented to Parliament for a vote.

Considering the current constitution of Parliament with 137 seats a-piece and one independent candidate, the outcome of the vote, according to political analysts should be fascinating.

Parliament is expected to resume sitting on March 2 after a three-week suspension due to Covid-19.

Persons at the receiving end of the former NDC Deputy General Secretary’s venom are the popular ‘babies with sharp teeth’.

Taking to his Twitter page, Mr Anyidoho said these ‘babies with sharp teeth’ sung the NDC’s revolution song in Parliament on Thursday.

According to him, the group ironically was made up of persons who insulted the late former President Jerry Rawlings.

“Very ironical seeing the abusive ‘babies with sharp teeth’, who insulted the late President Rawlings, singing the ‘Revo Revo Revo’ song in Parliament yesterday.

“Did they sing it for expediency? Certainly, NDC is bigger than the ego of one individual! Leadership shall change!,” his tweet read.

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Mr Anyidoho, however, failed to disclose who the said ‘babies with sharp teeth’ were as most of the NDC MPs chanted the song in the Chamber as part of processes leading to the transition of the 7th to the 8th Parliament.

Read the tweet below:

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament (MPs) could not hide their joy after their candidate, Alban Bagbin won the bid as Speaker of the 8th Parliament.

Amid singing and chanting over their victory in the fierce election, they moved about in the House in a frenzy.

Clad mainly in white attires, the MPs left their seats and headed towards their leadership to begin the celebration.

MP for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George and Ayawaso North MP, Yussif Jaja carried MP for Asawase, Muntaka Mubarak on their shoulder while the others danced to praises.

To them, it was Mr Mubarak’s vigilance that ensured the Speakership victory for the party in the 8th Parliament.

He accosted and retrieved ballot papers from New Patriotic Party MP for Tema West, Carlos Ahenkorah who snatched ballot papers and bolted with them during counting in the election.

Mr Bagbin won a chaotic, closely contested secret ballot in the Chamber of Parliament on Thursday against former Speaker, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye.

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One of the oldest serving MPs polled 138 votes against his predecessor’s 136 with one spoilt ballot.

The long dragging process, which started at 12:am on Thursday, January 7, delayed the swearing-in of MPs-elect.

Watch the video attached above:

This is in accordance with Article 113(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

Both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has 137 Members of Parliament and one independent candidate.

Both political party are also claiming majority after the keenly contested December 7, 2020 general elections.

Even before the ceremony begins, the NDC MPs trooped to the chamber and occupied the seats reserved for the majority.

For about 20 minutes Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery and the Defense Minister, Dominic Nitiwul were left trying to convince the minority to move back to their seats.

The dissolution will pave way for the inauguration of the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic and the investiture of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President-elect on January 7th, 2021.

Watch video below

This follows a lawsuit against the 11 lawmakers by the State following a decision by the minority caucus to march to the Electoral Commission’s head office in Accra on Tuesday, December 22, 2020.

The Minority caucus led by its leader, Mr. Iddrisu had attempted to storm the headquarters of the EC to present a petition over the results of the 2020 presidential and parliamentary polls.

However, en route to the EC’s office at Ridge, a scuffle ensued as police personnel tried to bar the agitated MPs from going beyond the Ridge Roundabout.

The MPs defied the orders of the police who said they were not aware of any walk by the Minority to the EC office.

They were subsequently sued for breaching the Public Order Act 1994(Act 491), Section 1(1) and (2) and 9(a) and are expected to appear before the Accra Circuit court.

The enjoined MPs are Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu, Asawase MP, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak; Ningo-Prampram MP, Sam George; Yapei Kusawgu MP, John Abdulai Jinapor; South Dayi MP, Rockson Dafeamekpor and the Kumbungu MP, Ras Mubarak.

The others are Damongo MP, Adam Mutawakilu; Lower Manya Krobo MP, Ebenezer Terlabi; Pru East MP, Dr. Kwabena Donkor; Sagnarigu MP; Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini and Juaboso MP, Kwabena Minta Akando.

The Minority’s decision comes after the Board appointed a private firm known as K&A Accounting Services to audit the foreign travels of the Auditor-General, as well as that of other top management staff of his office.

Although Mr Domelevo has written to Parliament to challenge the decision, the Board has still not made any attempt to halt the process.

A Member of Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Rockson Dafeamekpor has described the Board’s attempts as unconstitutional.

He said if allowed to proceed, the Board’s action would be an illegality and an attempt to usurp the powers of Parliament.

The Auditor-General, who at the beginning of the year asked to proceed on accumulated leave is expected to resume office soon.

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Speaking to the media, the South Dayi MP explained that article 187 (15) vests the power to audit the accounts of the Auditor General in Parliament.

He also disclosed that he intends to raise the matter on the floor of Parliament later this week to gauge the mood of the House.

Mr Rockson, however, served a notice that he will not hesitate to go to court should need to stop the Audit Service Board from perpetrating what he described as ‘an illegality’. 

Speaking to the media in Washington DC about the Minority’s claim that the recent $2.25billion domestic bond issued by the Akufo-Addo government was done in “secrecy”, without parliamentary approval, and “cooked” to favour US-based investor Franklin Templeton, Dr Bawumia said:

“This shows a lack of understanding, the Minority have never understood this economy and it’s just amazing that people on that side who were actually in charge of managing the economy will be making such statements. It really shows ignorance and I am so sad when I hear that from people who should know better.”

According to the Minority, Mr Trevor G. Trefgarne, a director at Franklin Templeton, the institution that bought 95 per cent of the bond, is also a Director at Enterprise Group Limited, a company of which Ghana’s Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is co-founder, thus, raising issues of transparency, conflict of interest, and suspicion.

At a press conference on Tuesday, the Minority, led by former Deputy Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, said the involvement of the US-based firm changed the dynamics of the bond from being a domestic one to an international one that needed parliamentary scrutiny and approval.

“We also wish to point out that this Bond issue is clearly an international economic/business transaction within the meaning of article 181 (5) of the Constitution,” he added.

“Therefore, we expected that the bond issuance would have been brought to parliament for approval. This is because although the transaction appears as to be a domestic sale of bonds, it is in truth a ‘private placement’ and an international economic transaction given the fact that Franklyn Templeton is a United States registered company and, therefore, qualifies as a foreign entity under article 181 (5) of the constitution. We, therefore, call on the Finance Minister to provide parliament with the full complement of documentation on this transaction for scrutiny and ratification.”

Dr Bawumia said all the assertions and allegations by the Minority betray their lack of understanding in handling the economy.

“So they need to understand, maybe they should read a little, but they need to understand what took place: we issued a cedi bond, there’s no secrecy to the matter, it was very well invested in. The holders have invested many times in Ghana in bonds that were in place when Seth Terkper issued them, they bought them, 24 per cent interest rate.

“This time it is 19%, we are doing even much better, but this is what politics has been reduced to, trying to say things which really have no basis and are basically wrapped in ignorance, and, so, I’m a bit sad for Ghana and for them because they are really demonstrating a lot of ignorance in the process of managing this economy,” he noted.