Today, Thursday, October 17, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin is expected to deliver a ruling on a petition seeking the removal of four sitting Members of Parliament (MPs). The MPs, Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kojo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central), are facing calls for their dismissal for filing to contest as independent candidates in the upcoming December elections.
The Minority in Parliament has submitted the petition, arguing that by seeking to run as independent candidates, the MPs are in violation of parliamentary regulations.
One of the affected MPs, Peter Kwakye Ackah, remains unfazed by the impending ruling. In an interview, he explained that his declaration to run as an independent candidate does not mean he has abandoned his political party.
“I have not declared that I’ve left the party. I’m simply stating my intention that, in the next parliament, I want to run as an independent candidate,” he clarified. “If someone from the NPP or NDC decides to go independent, they are not necessarily leaving their party; they’re just choosing not to run under the party’s banner in the next election. That’s my understanding.”
Kwakye Ackah further acknowledged the potential consequences of his decision. “If you take any action, there will be a reaction. If the Speaker rules that your seat is vacant because you’ve chosen to go independent, what can you do? You cannot challenge it because the law is clear,” he said.
The ruling by Speaker Bagbin could set a significant precedent regarding how Parliament handles MPs who declare their intentions to run as independents while still serving in office.
