NPP Caucus accused of causing financial loss to Ghana after no-show in parliament

The Member of Parliament for Sagnarigu, Alhassan Bashir Alhassan Fuseini, has accused the New Patriotic Party caucus in Parliament of causing the state financial loss through their boycott of parliamentary proceedings.

Speaking exclusively with GhanaWeb’s parliamentary correspondent, George Ayisi, Fuseini criticised his colleagues for failing to make an appearance after they recalled the house to reconvene for government business.

“They are confused, dazed, and visionless. They are completely lost and in a mess in every sphere. It defies any reason for you to ask for an emergency convening of parliament to do government business and MPs convene, yet you are completely absent and stay away from the proceedings you called for.

“It is a cause of financial loss because resources are being expended...,” he said.

Fuseini called on Ghanaians to vote out the ruling government and its MPs, urging that it would set a good precedent for the future should any politician attempt to repeat such actions.

“Their actions tell the good people of Ghana who are watching that these are people we should be in a hurry to vote out massively,” he added.

His comments follow the NPP MPs' absence in Parliament on Thursday, November 7, 2024, after the House was reconvened.

As a result, Speaker Alban Bagbin suspended Parliament indefinitely for the second time in weeks.

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 centers on whether the Supreme Court has the authority to restrict parliamentary decisions.

Watch A.B.A Fuseini's interview with GhanaWeb below:

MAG/MA

Watch the full video below: