The members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament have asserted that the Speaker’s declaration of four seats in the House vacant still holds and they now constitute the Majority Caucus in the House.
They, therefore, have expressed their readiness to jealously protect their new majority status and would not bow, retreat nor surrender their lawfully earned status.
“We will also not abdicate our responsibility to the people no matter what and nothing, absolutely nothing, will change this position,” it said.
Parliament unimpeachable
Addressing a press conference in Parliament today, the Leader of the NDC Caucus in Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, said they were fortified that the proceedings of Parliament “shall not” be “impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament.”
“Any interference with the business of Parliament is unlawful, unacceptable and shall be resisted,” it said.
On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Dr Forson, in a statement, drew the attention of the Speaker to the decision of four MPs to context the next parliamentary elections as independent candidates.
He said Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah, an MP for Amenfi Central, who was elected on the ticket of the NDC, had filed to contest the upcoming election as an independent candidate with the Electoral Commission, while Andrew Asiamah Amoako, an independent MP for Fomena, and until recently the Second Deputy Speaker, had filed to contest the election on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He also said Kwadjo Asante, an MP for Suhum, who was elected on the ticket of the NPP, had filed to contest as an independent candidate, with Cynthia Maamle Morrison, the MP for Agona West, who was elected on the ticket of the NPP, had filed to contest as an independent candidate.
He further drew the attention of the Speaker to the constitutional implications of the conduct of the four individuals involved and concluded that by the provisions of article 97(1)(g) and (h), they had vacated their seats as members of the Eighth Parliament.