The parliament in Ghana has been adjourned indefinitely after MPs from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) failed to appear at a key session, disrupting critical government business, including budget approvals needed to pay public sector workers before December’s election.
The political standoff emerged after Speaker Alban Bagbin declared four seats vacant in October, arguing the MPs had breached the constitution by changing party affiliation, giving the opposition a narrow majority in parliament.
The Supreme Court recently overturned this ruling, asserting that these vacancies would deny representation to many Ghanaians so close to the December 7 election.
Despite this, NPP MPs boycotted Thursday’s session, leaving the chamber half-empty and opposition lawmakers visibly frustrated.
Cassiel Ato Forson, the opposition leader, criticized the NPP’s absence as a constitutional abuse and accused them of stalling government business. Outgoing majority leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin responded that the Speaker should heed the Supreme Court’s ruling, warning that the prolonged suspension was a threat to democratic stability.
The budget delay could strain public services, intensifying voter frustration despite Ghana’s ongoing economic recovery. As the deadlock continues, it has raised concerns about political and economic stability in one of West Africa’s most respected democracies.