Tension is escalating ahead of the crucial Parliament sitting scheduled for Tuesday, with a major dispute brewing over the determination of the Majority and Minority factions within the house.
The Speaker of the House, Alban Sumana Bagbin, is expected to bring his wealth of experience and commitment to bear as the parliamentarians prepare for what promises to be a contentious session on Tuesday.
Lawmakers have started arriving in the chamber for the day’s sitting.
In anticipation of the heightened tensions, Parliament has announced stringent security measures to safeguard the well-being of Speaker Bagbin, Members of Parliament (MPs), and staff.
In a press release issued by Frederick Bawa, Deputy Marshall of Parliament, details of the security protocols were outlined.
According to the statement, all MPs, staff, and members of the press will undergo thorough screening before being permitted entry into the Chamber. Notably, MPs’ bodyguards will not be allowed inside the Chamber, and vehicles will be prohibited from parking in the vicinity of the Grand Arena. Drop-off zones have been designated within the AICC precincts for the convenience of MPs, with directions provided by the Ghana Police Service.
Furthermore, MPs are required to wear their parliamentary identification tags, before access to the Chamber is granted starting at 0800hrs.
The public gallery will remain closed until further notice, emphasizing the need for cooperation from all parties involved.
The security preparations come in the wake of a legal battle unfolding among the parliamentarians regarding the minority status, following a legal dispute that reached the Supreme Court.
The court recently issued an order freezing Bagbin’s declaration of four parliamentary seats vacant in the House, marking a significant development in the ongoing political saga.
The Supreme Court’s intervention halted the implementation of the Speaker’s ruling, acknowledging concerns about depriving constituencies of representation and potential disruptions to government proceedings.
The court underscored fundamental democratic rights, highlighting the constituencies’ entitlement to be represented and heard in Parliament through their elected representatives.
Speaker Bagbin’s decision to declare the seats vacant was prompted by the affected MPs’ decision to contest in the upcoming elections under different party affiliations, thereby triggering constitutional violations.
The Speaker emphasized the critical importance of maintaining party loyalty and preventing cross-carpeting, underscoring the significance of upholding constitutional mandates within the parliamentary framework.
As the parliamentary stalemate unfolds, all eyes are now on Tuesday’s session as tensions continue to mount within the walls of Parliament, highlighting the intricate interplay between legal interpretations and political ramifications.
By Nii Ocansey