We Are Aware Of Governments Plan To Deploy Military To Parliament Governs Agbodza Alleges

The Chief Whip for the National Democratic Congress caucus in Parliament, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has issued a stern warning against the government's alleged plans to deploy military personnel to the precincts of Parliament on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

Speaking during a press conference held by the NDC caucus on October 20, 2024, Agbodza claimed that some elements within the government had met to discuss deploying the military to Parliament, potentially repeating a similar incident which occurred on January 7, 2021.

"We are aware that between yesterday and today, government, some elements of government, have had a meeting again to deploy the military to the precincts of parliament to enter the tent. We are aware of that," he claimed.

Agbodza highlighted the sovereignty of the Ghanaian people and reminded the security forces that their duty is to the constitution and not any political element.

He further warned that any misconduct by military or police personnel would be met with a strong reaction from Ghanaians.

"We can guarantee them the people of this country are sovereign. If you wear a military uniform or police uniform, you work for the Constitution. But they should be aware that the life of this government is less than two months.

"They will have to account for their conduct in 2020 and whatever they do tomorrow. But they shouldn't be surprised. The people of this country would react forcefully to any misconduct of anybody in uniform on Tuesday and beyond," he warned.

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 persist 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.