CONFUSION IN PARLIAMENT OF GHANA OVER MAJORITY AND MINORITY SITTING POSITIONS

This unique situation arises in the midst of continued uncertainty about which party has the most seats, after Speaker Alban Bagbin announced four parliamentary seats as vacant on October 17.

Kwaku Asante, JoyNews’ Parliamentary Correspondent, has stated that Habib Iddrisu, the NPP Caucus Deputy Whip, took over the Majority Leader’s seat, blocking the NDC Caucus leader from sitting in it.

In reaction, the MPs from the NDC quickly shifted the black chair of the Minority Leader from their area to the side of the majority, enabling their leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to sit down.

Mr Asante clarifies that although all MPs use brown chairs, the majority and minority leaders usually sit on black chairs.

Mr. Annoh Dompreh’s action of sitting in the black chair designated for the Majority Leader effectively asserted the position for the NPP.

Unbothered, the NDC shifted the Minority leader’s seat to the majority side.

Kwaku Asante also stated that although there is tension due to the leadership crisis, the atmosphere in Parliament remains friendly.

He mentioned that Members of Parliament from both the NDC and NPP, even though sitting together, were observed smiling and having conversations with each other.

This recent development comes after Speaker Bagbin announced that four parliamentary seats, three from the NPP and one from the NDC, are now empty, altering the power dynamics in Parliament.

With 136 seats, the NDC surpassed the NPP’s 135 seats, establishing itself as the new majority.