Deadlock in Ghana as dispute shuts parliament ahead of polls

 

 A protester holds up a sign with 'Ghana deserves better' on it during a demonstration in Accra against the deteriorating economic conditions in the country, on September 23, 2023. [AFP]

Ghana's parliament adjourned indefinitely on Tuesday following a legal dispute over the speaker's decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant.

The decision, announced by speaker Alban Bagbin, effectively halts all legislative activity less than two months before the country's general elections and could freeze the passage of critical bills and budgetary approvals.

Ghana is often regarded as a beacon of political stability in a region prone to unrest.

But this Parliament has not been without its share of turbulence -- during its inauguration in 2021 when soldiers intervened to restore order after an outright brawl.

Tuesday's adjournment was triggered by a standoff between the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), which now holds a slim majority after the defection of four lawmakers.

Ghana's constitution bars MPs from defecting from the party they were elected under to run for another party or as independents, a rule central to the current dispute.

The seats the speaker declared vacant included two from the NPP, one from the NDC, and one independent MP.

"We don't have at least half of all members of parliament present," Bagbin stated, citing Ghana's parliamentary rules.

"In view of the current circumstances, the fact that there's a question on the composition of Parliament... I will proceed to adjourn the House indefinitely."

The NPP, whose members walked out of parliament earlier, has challenged the legality of the move and has taken the matter to the Supreme Court.

NPP leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who led his party out of the chamber, defended the walkout, saying they wanted to avoid physical confrontation with the opposition, who had taken over their seats in protest.

"The NPP has always used the courts to correct wrongs," he told reporters.

"We will not allow the NDC to create chaos and disturb the peace of this country."

The decision to adjourn parliament could have significant consequences for government operations, executive director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs Rasheed Draman told AFP.

"This situation could paralyse government business, especially with crucial bills on the table," he said, referring to key legislation including a World Bank loan agreement, energy policies, and the approval of a mini-budget for next year.

"Both sides must seek compromise and negotiation to avoid deadlock," Draman added.

The indefinite adjournment comes ahead of Ghana's presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7.