The ongoing dispute between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over which side holds the majority in Parliament continues to spark tensions between the two parties.

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, Kobina Tahir (KT) Hammond, engaged in a heated exchange with members of the NDC caucus.

The incident, captured in a video shared on the social media platform X, shows KT Hammond in a tense argument with several NDC MPs near the Grand Arena at the Accra International Conference Centre. During the altercation, he was heckled by James Klutse Avedzi, the MP for Ketu North, which further escalated the situation.

The confrontation unfolded shortly after Speaker Alban Bagbin adjourned proceedings, following a boycott of Parliament by NPP MPs.

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.

Watch the video below:



Watch Speaker Bagbin’s full speech on the vacant seat brouhaha:



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