A Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has called for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus to rejoin Parliament and collaborate with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus for the greater good of the nation.
His appeal comes in response to Speaker Alban Bagbin’s recent ruling, which declared four parliamentary seats vacant following a motion from former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu.
The motion referenced constitutional provisions that require MPs to vacate their seats if they run as independent candidates or switch party affiliations.
The affected MPs are Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).
This ruling shifts the balance of power in Parliament, potentially allowing the NDC-led Minority caucus to outnumber the NPP-led Majority caucus.
In a Friday interview with Joy FM, Prof. Gyampo remarked on the NPP’s past misinterpretation of the law during a similar scenario in 2020, suggesting they should approach this outcome with calmness. “The NPP misapplied and misinterpreted the law in 2020, and today the same situation has occurred against them. They need to accept this reality without excessive emotion,” he stated.
He emphasized the importance of the NPP’s return to Parliament to work alongside the NDC to facilitate the passage of critical legislation.
“Go back to Parliament and see how best they can work with the NDC Caucus to ensure that the bills and other businesses that were outlined are done for the betterment and interest of mother Ghana. So staying at home and boycotting parliamentary sitting in my view is not the best thing to do,” Prof Gyampo advised.