Since its inception on January 7, 2021, the Eighth Parliament has been marked by controversies and significant events.

This parliament, consisting of a hung parliament with one independent candidate, has faced challenges that date back to the 2020 general elections and the election of the Speaker of Parliament.

One of the most notable incidents involved MPs trading blows and ballot boxes and papers being fought over by legislators during the election of the Speaker.

Despite the dramatic scenes and controversies, some MPs who were elected in the 2020 elections have been unable to serve their full four-year terms.

With the next general elections less than two months away, two of these MPs have passed away, and their seats have been filled by others, while four others vacated their seats in pursuit of independent candidacies.

Here are the seven seats declared vacant in the 8th Parliament:

1.Phillip Basoah, MP for Kumawu

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, declared the Kumawu parliamentary seat in the Ashanti Region vacant in April 2023, following the passing of New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP, Philip Basoah, on March 28, 2023.

The 54-year-old Kumawu MP died at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after being found unconscious in his room on March 24.

His seat is now occupied by Ernest Yaw Anim, who won a by-election to replace him.

2.Gyakye Quayson, MP for Assin North

In May 2023, Parliament declared the Assin North Constituency seat vacant following a Supreme Court ruling that ordered the removal of MP James Gyakye Quayson from its records due to dual citizenship issues.

The vacancy was officially communicated to the Electoral Commission of Ghana by the Clerk of Parliament.

However, Gyakye Quayson contested the seat again and won through a by-election.

3.John Kumah, MP for Ejisu

The Ejisu Constituency seat became vacant after the death of MP John Kumah on March 7, 2024.

The 45-year-old MP passed away after a brief illness, leaving behind his wife and six children.

A by-election was conducted by the Electoral Commission on April 30, 2024, to fill the vacancy.

4.Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah, MP for Amenfi Central

On October 17, 2024, the Speaker of Parliament declared the seat of Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Amenfi Central, vacant.

This followed his decision to contest the December 7, 2024, general elections as an independent candidate, contrary to the party’s stance.

5.Andrew Amoako Asiamah, MP for Fomena

Andrew Amoako Asiamah, the Independent MP for Fomena and second deputy speaker of parliament, also lost his seat on October 17, 2024.

He is now contesting the 2024 elections on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the party he had initially broken away from.

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6.Kojo Asante, MP for Suhum

Kojo Asante, the NPP MP for Suhum in the Eastern Region, similarly lost his seat after the Speaker of Parliament declared it vacant on October 17, 2024.

This followed his decision to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming 2024 elections.

7.Cynthia Mamle Morrison, MP for Agona West

Cynthia Mamle Morrison, the NPP MP for Agona West in the Central Region, also had her seat declared vacant on October 17, 2024, due to her decision to contest the 2024 elections as an independent candidate, defying the party’s position.



AM/KA

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