The National Peace Council has held an emergency meeting with the Minority and Majority sides in Parliament ahead of an intense session when the House reconvenes today [Tuesday, October 22, 2024].
Already, the Minority Caucus in Parliament has expressed its readiness to occupy the Majority position in Parliament today until a contrary ruling by the Speaker.
Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, a member of the National Peace Council and spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, emphasised the importance of the meeting and urged all parties to act responsibly to prevent any escalation.
“We don’t want to see anything untoward happen. There have even been suggestions that military personnel might be deployed, though there is no solid basis for that. Still, we must prepare for any outcome,” he stated.
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Sheikh Shaibu further urged the various arms of government to set aside political sentiments and view the current situation as an opportunity to strengthen Ghana’s democracy.
“This moment is not about one party or the other. It is about reaching a point in our democratic journey where crucial decisions must be made for the betterment of our future,” he added.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, on October 17, 2024, declared the four parliamentary seats vacant because of the decision of four MPs to cross carpets ahead of the upcoming December 7 elections.
The affected MPs are Peter Kwakyi Ackah of Amenfi Central, Cynthia Morrison of Agona West, Kwadjo Asante of Suhum, and Andrew Asiamah of Fomena.
While Peter Kwakyi Ackah, Cynthia Morrison, and Kwadjo Asante are contesting as independent candidates, Andrew Asiamah, who was in the House as an independent MP, is contesting the seat on the ticket of the NPP in the next elections.