The Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has applauded the Speaker for upholding what he described as the tenets of the constitution in a recent ruling on four MPs who crossed carpets.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, declared the four parliamentary seats vacant because of the decision of the affected MPs to switch allegiance ahead of the upcoming December 7 elections.
“You have done what is right for the people of Ghana by speaking to the tenets of Ghana’s constitution,” the MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam said.
Dr. Forson added that this move in parliament commences the processes of changing leadership in Ghana.
“Today marks the beginning of the process to reset Ghana. We have always made our point, but unfortunately, we’ve not been able to succeed due to the lack of a working majority. Now we have it, and we will begin the process to take over as the majority in this Parliament,” he said.
The MP also congratulated the National Democratic Congress (NDC), suggesting that they were now the Majority in Parliament.
“We have not reneged on our responsibilities to work for the people of Ghana,” he emphasised, highlighting the NDC’s commitment to the nation.
This incident comes after Tamale South MP Haruna Iddrissu petitioned the Speaker to declare the seats vacant due to the actions of the affected MPs.
The affected legislators are Peter Kwakyi Ackah of Amenfi Central, Cynthia Morrison of Agona West, and Kwadjo Asante of Suhum, who are contesting as independent candidates, and Andrew Asiamah of Fomena, who was in the House as an independent MP but is now contesting the seat on the ticket of the NPP.
After the verdict of the Speaker of Parliament, NPP members walked out of the chamber.
But Dr. Forson says the NDC is unperturbed, and the absence of their counterparts wouldn’t deter them from doing parliamentary business.
“And we thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Speaker. We have taken note of the fact that our colleagues, the new minority caucus, have just walked out. But that will not stop us from doing what is right for the people of Ghana. We will do what is right, and their conduct exactly reflects the work of a Minority, Mr. Speaker, we thank you very much for this ruling. Thank you, Mr. Speaker,” Cassiel Ato Forson added.