Supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have gathered in large numbers at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), where an intense parliamentary session is being held today, October 22, 2024.
The atmosphere outside the AICC is charged, with a crowd mostly made up of supporters from the Nsawam Adoagyiri constituency, home to Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
The supporters, dressed in party paraphernalia, were seen singing, chanting, and displaying placards, in an apparent show of solidarity with their MPs as the battle for control of the Parliamentary Majority heats up.
Inside the Chamber, tension has reached its peak as both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs lay claim to the Majority side of Parliament.
The dispute follows Speaker Alban Bagbin’s controversial ruling on October 17, which declared four parliamentary seats vacant, reducing the NPP’s numbers and shifting the balance of power in favour of the NDC. This decision has led to a fierce political and legal standoff between the two major parties.
Leading the NDC caucus, Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and several other members of his party were notably seated alongside Frank Annoh-Dompreh and members of the NPP on the side of the Chamber typically designated for the Majority.
This bold move by the NDC, which now claims a numerical advantage in Parliament, has exacerbated the already heated struggle for control.
The NDC’s occupation of the Majority side follows days of political manoeuvring. Minority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza had earlier accused Annoh-Dompreh of being “smuggled” into Parliament in the early hours of Tuesday, allegedly breaching protocols that stipulated the Chamber doors were to remain closed until 8:00 a.m. Agbodza suggested that the security apparatus colluded to grant Annoh-Dompreh access ahead of time, implying that the NPP was attempting to manipulate the situation to retain control of the Majority side.
However, Frank Annoh-Dompreh swiftly denied the allegations, dismissing them as baseless. In a firm rebuttal, the Majority Chief Whip stated that he arrived at Parliament early, as is customary, and was sitting in the Chamber when asked to leave for routine security checks.
“I come to Parliament early, and I was sitting there when they told me they wanted to sweep the place, so I came out to stand here,” Annoh-Dompreh clarified. He further warned that the NPP caucus would not allow themselves to be sidelined and would deploy every possible measure to defend their claim to the Majority side of the Chamber.
“There are lessons I need to teach him [Agbodza]. He has to learn, and he should be careful about making such allegations. It is my duty to ensure everything is well,” Annoh-Dompreh remarked. “We will do anything and everything to make sure that they do not walk over us.”
The dramatic scenes in Parliament come in the wake of the Supreme Court’s intervention on October 18, which stayed the Speaker’s ruling on the vacant seats and allowed the affected MPs to continue their duties until a final legal decision is reached.
This ruling has left the status of the Majority undecided, creating a politically charged environment as both parties fiercely defend their claims.
Security has been beefed up both inside and outside the AICC, with law enforcement personnel working to manage the situation and ensure that proceedings continue without violence.
MPs and parliamentary staff were subjected to rigorous security screening upon entry, and access to the public gallery was restricted to avoid disruptions.
As the standoff continues, both sides remain resolute in their positions, with no sign of compromise. The NDC maintains that they are the new Majority, following the Speaker’s ruling, while the NPP insists that the Supreme Court’s stay of execution means they retain control until a final judgment is made.
The ongoing parliamentary battle is a significant development as Ghana heads towards the 2024 general elections. The political ramifications of the current power struggle, coupled with the legal challenges surrounding the vacant seats, are likely to shape the future of Ghana’s political landscape in the coming months.
We’ll do everything possible to defend ourselves – Annoh-Dompreh
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