GHANA’S parliament has been adjourned indefinitely once again, after the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmakers failed to attend a key session on Thursday, just weeks before the presidential elections. The absence of the NPP MPs has brought the legislative process to a halt, blocking vital discussions, including the approval of the national budget, which is crucial for paying public sector workers ahead of the December vote.
Parliamentary deadlock and the Supreme Court ruling
The political gridlock stems from an October ruling by Parliament’s Speaker, Alban Bagbin, who declared four parliamentary seats vacant due to MPs switching party affiliations. This decision shifted the balance of power, giving the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) a narrow majority in the house. However, the Supreme Court intervened last week, overturning the Speaker’s ruling, arguing that the move would disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters ahead of the general elections.
Absence of MPs delays urgent government work
Despite a request for an emergency recall by the NPP, the majority of their MPs did not attend the session, resulting in an empty chamber and an indefinite adjournment of parliamentary proceedings. Bagbin addressed the half-empty house, noting that although there was a quorum, there was no business to transact.
‘We are compelled to adjourn the sitting of the House indefinitely,’ Bagbin said, as opposition MPs from the NDC remained seated in frustration.
Accusations of constitutional abuse
The NDC’s parliamentary leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, accused the NPP of neglecting their duties and wasting parliamentary time. He described the adjournment as an abuse of the constitution and parliamentary rules, adding, ‘They have given up and want this election to come so they can hand over.’
In response, the outgoing Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, criticised Bagbin for failing to reverse the decision despite the Supreme Court ruling. He called for a resolution, warning that the Speaker was deepening political chaos in the country.
‘The Speaker is setting the country on fire,’ Afenyo-Markin said, urging the Speaker to demonstrate statesmanship.
Economic and governance concerns
The ongoing delay in passing the national budget is raising alarm among analysts, who warn that it could have severe consequences for Ghana’s economic recovery. With the country still grappling with the effects of a financial crisis, any disruption in government spending could exacerbate public dissatisfaction and complicate preparations for the elections.
The parliamentary stand-off, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding the budget, is threatening to destabilise Ghana’s political landscape ahead of the December polls. The crisis highlights the growing tensions and risks of political instability in one of West Africa’s most respected democracies.
As the country heads towards the elections, all eyes are on the resolution of this deadlock and whether Ghana’s leaders can resolve the impasse before the electoral process is jeopardised.
