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In a recent episode of TV3’s Key Points, Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, took a critical stance on the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Speaking on the show, which was closely monitored by LOCO TV, Dr. Boakye-Danquah described the NDC’s petition to Speaker Alban Bagbin, urging him to declare four parliamentary seats vacant, as nothing more than a “wild goose chase.”
Dr. Boakye-Danquah didn’t mince words: “There’s no ambiguity in this situation. The Minority seems to be on a wild goose chase, trying to become the Majority in less than a day.”
His comments raise a larger question about the stability and integrity of Ghana’s democratic processes, particularly in a political landscape where shifts in party dynamics can occur unexpectedly.
The dispute stems from a Supreme Court ruling on Friday, October 18, 2024, that ordered Speaker Alban Bagbin to halt his decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant. This ruling carries major political weight as both the ruling and opposition parties scramble to secure influence in Parliament, especially with the 2024 elections fast approaching.
However, Dr. Boakye-Danquah believes the NDC’s actions are misguided. He pointed out that the MPs involved in this case haven’t formally notified Parliament or their respective parties, a crucial step that distinguishes this situation from previous instances where seats were legitimately declared vacant.
Dr. Boakye-Danquah referenced an important precedent under former Speaker Prof. Mike Ocquaye when the Fomena MP’s seat was declared vacant after the MP decided to run as an independent candidate. “This case is different; precedence cannot apply here,” he said, stressing that proper parliamentary procedures must be followed.
In his view, the NDC’s petition lacks merit due to the absence of formal notice from the MPs in question, ultimately undermining the legitimacy of their request.