Ghana: Parliament suspends its activities again for an indefinite period
Ghana’s Parliament has once again suspended its activities indefinitely on Thursday, after an extraordinary session in which members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) were absent. The new suspension of legislative work further jeopardizes the passage of vital legislation, including the 2025 budget, amid a tense situation ahead of the December 7 general elections.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, justified this decision in the face of an assembly with almost deserted benches on the majority side: “As you can see, one side of the House is completely empty… Although we have the quorum to sit, we have no business to transact. We are therefore forced to adjourn the session for an indefinite period.” This situation marks a turning point in the parliamentary crisis that has shaken Ghana since the end of October.
Conflict between NPP and NDC paralyzes Assembly
The current crisis has its roots in an initial suspension of parliamentary activities in October, prompted by tensions between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the main opposition party. The Speaker of Parliament decided to declare four parliamentary seats vacant: two belonging to the NPP, one to the NDC and one independent. These MPs had announced their intention to run for re-election under another banner, which is prohibited by the Ghanaian constitution. By making the seats vacant, Bagbin temporarily gave the NDC a majority in the National Assembly, a symbolic advantage that was not well received by the NPP.
On October 30, the Supreme Court ruled by ordering Alban Bagbin to reinstate the four seats, noting that the move was aimed at ensuring parliamentary representation for the affected Ghanaians. However, the return of these MPs was not enough to defuse the crisis, as the NPP MPs did not attend the next session, leaving the Assembly unable to function.
Reactions and calls for dialogue
Cassiel Ato Forson, the NDC’s parliamentary leader, told reporters his party was not seeking to “disrupt government business” but criticized the lack of urgent business to address, accusing the NPP of causing a deadlock. He also suggested the ruling party might seek to avoid parliamentary debates before the election to reduce public exposure of its political weaknesses.
The NPP’s parliamentary majority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, for his part, strongly criticised the Speaker of Parliament, accusing him of “setting the country on fire”. He appealed to Bagbin to respect the Supreme Court’s decision and prioritise “political stability”, saying his group would not participate in the “chaos” he believes is being caused by the current management of the Assembly.
An impact on Ghana’s political stability
This parliamentary crisis worries observers, who fear that it will tarnish the image of stability of Ghana, often presented as a model of democracy in West Africa. In a region shaken by coups d’état, Ghana has so far distinguished itself by a peaceful democratic transition and respect for institutions. However, the current impasse highlights deep political divisions, likely to affect citizens’ confidence in the democratic process.
Conclusion: a call for political responsibility
In the face of this tense situation, a general call for political responsibility is more necessary than ever to avoid an escalation of the crisis. With elections just weeks away, both sides must work towards constructive dialogue and the effective functioning of Parliament. The independence of the Assembly and respect for judicial decisions are crucial for Ghana to maintain its status as a model of democracy in Africa. Cooperation between the NPP and the NDC would not only preserve the country’s institutional stability, but also ensure political transparency, which is essential to reassure Ghanaian voters during this electoral period.
