The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has indefinitely adjourned parliamentary proceedings following a day of intense disputes between Members of Parliament (MPs) from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The disagreements stemmed from an ongoing debate over which party holds the Majority in Parliament.
The Speaker’s decision came after he received a directive from the Supreme Court, instructing him to stay his earlier ruling that declared four parliamentary seats vacant. However, he did not provide further details on the Court’s communication, leaving MPs and the public unsure of the directive’s implications.
Addressing the House, Speaker Bagbin noted that although there were sufficient MPs present to conduct business, the numbers were insufficient to make binding decisions. He said, “Hon. members, we don’t have at least half of all the Members of Parliament present. Consequently, in view of the current circumstances, the fact that there’s a question on the composition and constitution of Parliament, and having regard to the public interest, and the exigencies of the affairs in Parliament, I will proceed to, in accordance with standing order 59, adjourn the house indefinitely, that is sine die.”
The Speaker added that, after consultations with parliamentary leadership, he exercised his discretion to suspend proceedings. “The House is accordingly adjourned sine die,” he declared.
The indefinite adjournment leaves Parliament in a state of uncertainty, as the question over which party controls the Majority remains unresolved.
