A dramatic scene unfolded in Parliament on Tuesday when the Minority staged a walkout just ahead of the swearing-in of Ewurabena Aubynn, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North.
The protest was sparked by a request from Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, who sought to make a statement before the newly elected MP took the oath of office. Annoh-Dompreh attempted to raise the matter after catching the attention of Speaker Alban Bagbin. However, the Speaker did not allow him to address the issue before the swearing-in ceremony.
Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, objected to the Minority’s request, arguing that any concerns raised by the Minority could be addressed after the swearing-in. In a ruling, Speaker Bagbin sided with the Majority Leader, directing that the opportunity to speak would be granted only after the ceremony was concluded.
Dissatisfied with this ruling, Annoh-Dompreh voiced his objections loudly, stating: “Mr. Speaker, we cannot be part of this swearing-in.” He then led the entire Minority side out of the chamber in protest.
Despite the walkout, the swearing-in ceremony of Aubynn proceeded as scheduled, with the MP-elect being formally inducted into Ghana’s Parliament. Aubynn, who had recently won the parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency, took the oath of office in the absence of the protesting Minority members.
The walkout by the Minority has added to the growing tension in Parliament, which has been marked by heated debates in recent times. While the Minority’s protest was seen as a symbolic gesture of discontent, it did not impede the formal induction of the new MP.
