'We want the ruling of the Supreme Court to be respected' – KT Hammond on NPP MPs no-show

The Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, Kobina Tahir Hammond, has provided details as to why the NPP MPs boycotted Parliament after the Speaker called for them to reconvene.

Speaking to the press moments after the Speaker suspended Parliament indefinitely on November 7, 2024, KT Hammond said the NPP MPs expected the Speaker to respect the ruling of the Supreme Court and stay his decision to declare four seats vacant in the House.

“There is a ruling made by him, and it’s been overruled by the court. The Supreme Court has spoken, and we want the ruling of the court to be respected,” he said.

The NPP lawmaker further stated that the Speaker should have clarified in the House which side should occupy the Majority seats following the court's order.

“Supreme Court has simply asked that he should give an order to restore what the situation was. We recalled Parliament and when he sat the Speaker was supposed to follow the ruling by the Supreme Court accordingly so we will know that we are going back as Majority but why should the NDC rush to go and sit at the side of Parliament,” he added.

Speaker Alban Bagbin has suspended Parliament indefinitely following NPP MP's boycott of the house.

Background

Controversy arose after the Supreme Court stayed the Speaker's decision to declare four seats vacant, following the affected MPs' decision to "cross the carpet" by filing to contest the December 7, 2024, parliamentary elections in different capacities—either as independents or on the tickets of other political parties. This action diverges from the basis on which these MPs were originally elected to the House.

The affected seats include those held by Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).

Both sides of the House are now locked in a battle over which party holds the Majority, as the Supreme Court ruling positions the NDC in the Minority while the Speaker's ruling places the NPP in the Minority.

The core contention centres on whether the Supreme Court has the authority to restrict parliamentary decisions.

MAG/OGB