We are in dangerous times; think about your children - Prof. Kwesi Aning to MPs

Security expert Prof. Kwesi Aning has warned Members of Parliament to remember their fundamental duty to serve the people of Ghana, not their personal interests.

This comes as both the NDC and NPP caucuses in Parliament are at loggerheads over who gets to occupy the Majority side.

Speaking in an interview with TV3 on October 22, 2024, Prof. Aning called for peace and responsible leadership as the country approaches its next election.

He advised both the ruling party and the opposition to reflect on the reasons they entered politics and the impact of their actions on the nation's future.

"When you let us slip down the slippery slope and this gets out of hand, you will not escape yourself. Think about yourself. Think about your children. Think about your children's children. None of us will be able to survive this.

“We have a very short time to pull back from the brink, and this afternoon will be a test of our descending maturity and hopefully our love for this country," Prof. Aning cautioned.

He called on the MPs to demonstrate maturity and love for the country, stating, “These are dangerous times, and I hope that we will demonstrate the leadership and sacrifices necessary so we can approach this election as peacefully as possible.”

Background

The Supreme Court of Ghana on October 18, 2024, stayed the ruling of Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, regarding 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 Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to declare some four seats vacant, making the NDC the party with the 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 independents or on the ticket of a party different from the one 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 address 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 ensure party loyalty throughout an MP's tenure 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 seats.

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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