Gabby Urges Unity as Parliament Faces Tensions

Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a prominent figure in Ghana’s New Patriotic Party, has called on Parliament members to embrace maturity and prevent chaos when the House reconvenes on Tuesday.

As a private legal practitioner and cousin of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Gabby emphasized the need for leaders from both parliamentary caucuses to convene and discuss critical issues ahead of the meeting.

In a Facebook post on October 20, 2024, he stated, “Parliament must avoid any appearance of disorder on Tuesday. I propose that the two leaders and the Speaker meet to either reach a consensus or agree to disagree on the next steps. With December 7 approaching, let maturity guide our actions.”

His appeal comes in the wake of Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four seats as vacant, a ruling subsequently paused by the Supreme Court. On October 17, 2024, Speaker Bagbin declared the seats vacant under Article 97 (g) and (h) of the 1992 Constitution, referencing a precedent from 2020.

However, just a day later, the Supreme Court issued a stay on the Speaker’s ruling, ensuring that the affected MPs—Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central), and Andrew Asiamah (Fomena)—can continue their duties. This stay remains until the Supreme Court delivers its final verdict on the matter.

The application to suspend the Speaker’s decision was brought forth by NPP MPs aiming to protect their colleagues, while the National Democratic Congress (NDC) maintains its claim to the majority in Parliament based on the Speaker’s initial declaration and plans to assert their rights during Tuesday’s session.