In a notable turn of events on Thursday, October 17, Speaker Alban Bagbin declared four parliamentary seats vacant, reshaping the political dynamics in the legislature.
The MPs affected—Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kojo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central)—had filed as independent candidates for the 2024 general election.
This decision has shifted the balance of power, positioning the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the majority in Parliament, while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) now holds the minority.
The move is expected to significantly impact parliamentary operations and decisions as the 2024 elections approach.4o
Bagbin’s decision has affected the following four MPs.
Cynthia Morrison – Agona West
On August 22, the former Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection announced her intention to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
Addressing her constituents, she stated, “God willing, I would be contesting the parliamentary election as an independent candidate. It is not about the NDC, and it is not about the NPP. It is about the development of Agona.”
Her decision follows her loss in the NPP parliamentary primary on Saturday, April 13, where she garnered 152 votes, while Christopher Arthur secured the nomination with 240 votes.
Undeterred by this outcome, Morrison, who remains committed to Agona West’s progress, called on her constituents to back her independent campaign.
Boafo Kwadjo Asante – Suhum
The current MP for Suhum, Kwadjo Asante, revealed on September 2 that he will also be running as an independent candidate in the 2024 elections.
In January 2024, he was defeated in the NPP parliamentary primary by Frank Asiedu Bekoe, widely known as Protozoa, who won by a margin of 179 votes.
Protozoa secured 496 votes, while Asante received 320 from the total valid ballots, making Frank Asiedu Bekoe the new NPP parliamentary candidate for Suhum.
Peter Kwakye Ackah – Amenfi Central
Kwakye-Ackah, who has chosen to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, stated that his decision was a result of what he views as unfair treatment by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He cited the party’s endorsement of his opponent as the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for Amenfi Central as a major factor in his departure from the party.
Andrew Amoako Asiamah – Fomena
Andrew Amoako Asiamah, who joined Parliament in January 2021 as an independent candidate, has declared his intention to run in the 2024 general election under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) banner.
On October 13, 2020, the NPP formally requested the Speaker of Parliament to invoke Article 97(1)g, calling for Asiamah’s seat to be declared vacant.
The Speaker ruled on the matter during a parliamentary session held on a Saturday, just before the chairperson of the Electoral Commission briefed MPs on preparations for the 2020 elections.