The NDC caucus in Parliament has announced that they will leverage their newly established “majority” status to initiate processes aimed at repealing the betting tax and the COVID-19 tax without delay.
The NDC has consistently maintained that they “constitute the MAJORITY in Ghana’s Parliament” and emphasized their commitment to safeguarding this new status. They have vowed not to back down or retreat in this endeavor.
Speaking at a press briefing at Parliament House on Sunday, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson stated, “Any interference will be unlawful. We will use our new majority, through a private member’s bill, to eliminate the e-levy and protect businesses. The Speaker has acted fairly and firmly, and we stand with him, urging him to uphold the integrity of Parliament.”
Dr. Forson further explained that he raised the matter with the Speaker due to its public significance and the constitutional implications involving the four individuals concerned. He cited Article 97(1)(g) and (h) of the Constitution, asserting that these individuals had effectively vacated their seats in the 8th Parliament.
Additionally, he emphasized that the Speaker’s decision to declare the four seats vacant was a lawful exercise of his duties, as outlined by the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament.
“The impact of the Speaker’s declaration is clear:
There is no longer an Independent Member of Parliament.
The NPP now holds 135 seats.
The NDC holds 136 seats.
There is no Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
This significantly changes the composition of the 8th Parliament. As a result, the NPP caucus is now the Minority Caucus, as defined by Order (6) of our Standing Orders.”
By Eugene Davis
