Ghana’s Supreme Court has declared that Parliament Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to vacate the seats of four Members of Parliament (MPs) was unconstitutional. The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, saw a majority of five judges opposing Bagbin’s action, while two supported his stance.
The case stemmed from a petition by Afenyo Markin, who sought clarity on constitutional provisions concerning lawmakers switching political parties. Speaker Bagbin had argued that the MPs—Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadwo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central)—had forfeited their seats after leaving the parties that sponsored them to parliament.
The speaker’s decision had shifted the parliamentary majority to the opposition, sparking protests from the ruling party. In response, government-aligned MPs boycotted sessions last week, prompting Bagbin to suspend parliamentary sittings indefinitely, citing the inability to proceed with house business. The suspension jeopardized budget approvals critical for paying public sector workers.
The Supreme Court’s ruling comes at a critical time as Ghana approaches its presidential and parliamentary elections, set for December 7. Analysts have warned that further delays in passing the budget could disrupt public services, adding to the tensions in the lead-up to the polls.
