In Parliament: NPP caucus awaits Speaker’s pronouncement on proceedings

The Majority in Parliament, has abstained from sitting on the Minority side of the House, stating they are awaiting a ruling from Speaker Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin to determine their next course of action.

On Tuesday morning, the Minority Caucus occupied the right side of the Speaker’s position—traditionally reserved for the Majority—under parliamentary rules.

This move sparked disagreement from the NPP caucus. Despite the tension, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin emphasized that his side would not engage in any confrontation with the Minority but would exit the chamber while waiting for the Speaker’s ruling on the seating arrangement and the proceedings of the House.

Earlier, Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh reportedly entered the chamber before the approved time of 8 a.m., a move the NDC caucus criticised.

The heightened tension comes amid a heavy security presence at Parliament’s temporary venue at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre, following concerns over a potential standoff, with both caucuses claiming majority status.

This follows a Supreme Court ruling that overturned Speaker Bagbin’s declaration of four vacant seats, which could shift the NPP caucus into the minority.

In a radio interview on Monday, Alexander Afenyo-Markin warned that if Speaker Bagbin insists on recognising the NDC as the majority caucus, the NPP members would exit the chamber in protest.