The NPP Caucus in Parliament has reaffirmed that Cynthia Mamle Morrison remains a member of the NPP caucus, despite the Speaker’s ruling declaring her seat and three others vacant.

Addressing the media at Parliament, the NPP caucus, led by Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, stated that Morrison, despite her decision to independently contest the 2024 parliamentary election, is still part of their caucus in Parliament.

Cynthia Morrison, the Member of Parliament for Agona West, was seen among the NPP MPs during the press conference.

“My respected colleague Cynthia Morrison is here. I said it in my plaint in court that she remains a member of our caucus, and she is here with us as a majority caucus. Nothing short of that,” Afenyo-Markin reiterated.

Speaking on the NPP’s next line of action, Afenyo-Markin announced plans to engage with Speaker Alban Bagbin in the coming days.

However, he added that the NPP will pursue legal action against the Speaker if he does not address and resolve the ongoing issue in Parliament regarding who occupies the Majority seats.

“We look forward to engaging Mr Speaker in the next few hours and days. We pray that he does the needful. If he doesn’t do the needful, we will continue to rely on the law to get the right things done,” he added.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has since suspended parliamentary business indefinitely following the absence of the NPP caucus in Parliament on November 7, 2024.

Background

Controversy arose after the Supreme Court stayed the Speaker's decision to declare four seats vacant, following the affected MPs' decision to "cross the carpet" by filing to contest the December 7, 2024, parliamentary elections in different capacities—either as independents or on the tickets of other political parties. This action diverges from the basis on which these MPs were originally elected to the House.

The affected seats include those held by Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).

Both sides of the House are now locked in a battle over which party holds the Majority, as the Supreme Court ruling positions the NDC in the Minority while the Speaker's ruling places the NPP in the Minority.

The core contention centres on whether the Supreme Court has the authority to restrict parliamentary decisions.

MAG/OGB

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