Parliament will reconvene today, Thursday, November 7, 2024, after Speaker Alban Bagbin scheduled a session at 10:00 AM at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre.
This meeting aims to tackle key issues that have been stalled due to ongoing tensions within the House.
The standoff began when Speaker Bagbin declared four seats—Fomena, Amenfi Central, Suhum, and Agona West—vacant, a decision that sparked strong opposition from the Majority caucus, who claimed it reduced their representation in Parliament.
Following this, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin filed a case with the Supreme Court, challenging the Speaker’s power to declare these seats vacant.
In response, the Supreme Court issued a temporary halt on Bagbin’s decision, reinstating the disputed seats and heightening the friction between the Majority and Minority groups.
The tension grew further when the Minority caucus, acting on the Speaker’s vacancy declaration, occupied the Majority side of the chamber, leading Speaker Bagbin to adjourn the House.
This unusual situation raised concerns about Parliament’s stability and the shifting power dynamics within the institution.
In light of this, the Majority caucus called for Parliament’s return, stressing the need to restart legislative work and move forward with important policies and programmes that have been delayed. They warned that further delays could affect essential national projects.
Today’s sitting is expected to be a critical step toward resolving the gridlock, with both sides ready to discuss the future of Ghana’s legislative body during one of its most turbulent times.