Kwame Agbodza fumes over military presence, Annoh-Dompreh’s early entry into the Chamber

In a heated incident in Parliament today, Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minority Chief Whip, expressed strong disapproval over Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Chief Whip of the NPP caucus, entering the chamber before the stipulated time.

According to Agbodza, the room was supposed to be opened to MPs at 8 a.m., but Annoh-Dompreh was already seated in the front row on the right side of the Speaker before then.

“Why is Annoh-Dompreh already sitting in there when we were told that the room opens at eight o’clock? He’s already sitting in there, so they are the ones who are going to cause the fight,” Agbodza said, raising concerns about possible procedural breaches that could escalate tensions between the two sides.

Annoh-Dompreh’s early entry raised eyebrows among some members of the Minority, with Agbodza questioning whether this action might contribute to unnecessary friction in the already polarized chamber. It remains to be seen if this incident will have any further impact on the day’s parliamentary proceedings.

Background

The Supreme Court of Ghana on October 18, 2024, stayed the ruling of Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, in the matter of the vacation of some four seats.

This occurred as the highest court in the land, led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, considered an application from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament.

The decision by the apex court effectively suspends the implementation of the Speaker’s ruling on October 17, 2024, pending further legal review and final determination.

Bagbin had granted a motion by the Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to declare some four seats vacant, making the NDC become the party with majority members in Parliament.

Delivering his ruling, the Speaker noted that the decision by the affected MPs to contest in the December 7, 2024, election as independent or on the ticket of a party different from the party on whose ticket they currently serve, contravened Article 97 (g) and (h) of the 1992 Constitution.

He noted that the motive and operational effect of Article 97(g) and (h) was to cure the issues of cross carpeting and defection as witnessed in parliaments of old.

He stated that the intent of Article 97 (g) (i) was to cure party loyalty throughout the stay of an MP in Parliament.

He emphasised that the affected MPs by their decision and the Notice of Polls issued by the Electoral Commission for the December 7, 2024, parliamentary elections have vacated their seat.

The affected seats and their MPs included Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).

The NDC is upholding the Speaker's ruling, while the NPP is supporting the Supreme Court's decision. With heightened anticipation, it remains unclear how the Speaker will respond to this development.

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