Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has declared that the NDC Caucus will not “bow, retreat nor surrender” its newly acquired majority status in the 8th Parliament.
He said this at a press conference held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, where the NDC reassured Ghanaians of its commitment to safeguarding their “lawfully earned” position.
“We will jealously protect our newly majority status and will not bow, retreat nor surrender our lawfully end status. We will also not abdicate our responsibility to the people of Ghana no matter what. Nothing, absolutely nothing will change this position,” he said.
He further assured Ghanaians that the NDC will remain steadfast in their responsibilities and will use their majority status to benefit the people by introducing private members’ bills to remove the E-Levy, betting tax and other “nuisance taxes”.
He criticised the current government’s high tax regime, which he claimed is detrimental to businesses and the general populace.
“It is indeed true that we will use our new majority numbers to benefit Ghanaians by introducing a private members bill to remove the E-Levy and to reduce the suffering of the people of Ghana.
“It is also true that we will use our new majority to remove the betting tax and other nuisance taxes. Already this NPP government has made Ghana a high tax regime and that is affecting the survival of businesses and the people of Ghana.”
He added “We assure you that we will use our new majority to protect businesses and the people of Ghana.”
Dr. Forson also expressed confidence in Speaker Alban Bagbin’s leadership, praising his 32-year parliamentary career and urging Ghanaians to support him.
“Speaker Bagbin has had a distinguished and unprecedented 32-year career in the parliament of Ghana. Right Honourable Alban Bagbin is a courageous and resolute leader. We stand with him, pledge our support and urge him to protect the dignity and sanctity of the parliament of Ghana,” he said.
The NDC leader reiterated the party’s dedication to reversing what he termed the “Akufo-Addo-Bawumia mess” and pledged to protect the interests of Ghanaians.
He concluded by calling on the public to resist any interference with parliamentary proceedings and to stand by the Speaker and the NDC majority.
Background
On Thursday, October 17, the Speaker of Parliament declared four parliamentary seats vacant, just two months before the December elections.
This decision followed a heated debate in the House, initiated by a petition from former NDC Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu.
The affected legislators are Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah of the NDC from the Amenfi Central constituency in the Western Region, Andrew Amoako Asiamah of Fomena in the Ashanti Region, Kojo Asante, NPP MP for Suhum in the Eastern Region, and Cynthia Morrison of the NPP from the Agona West constituency.
This ruling altered the balance in Ghana’s hung parliament, which had previously given the governing NPP a slight majority with support from Independent MP Andrew Amoako Asiamah. According to the Speaker’s decision, the NDC now holds 136 seats in the House, while the NPP has 135. Before this ruling, the NPP had 138 seats compared to the NDC’s 137.
However, on October 18, 2024, the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling, which had declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
This decision allows the affected MPs to continue their duties until a final verdict is reached.
The application for the stay was filed by NPP MPs and was considered without the participation of Speaker Bagbin or Parliament.
The ruling means the NPP retains its majority status, while the NDC remains the minority.
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Source: ghanaweb.com
