The Speaker of Parliament Alban S. K. Bagbin has declared the seats of four Members of Parliament (MPs) vacant. 

The ruling came on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

The MPs affected lost their seats because they crossed the floor.

They are the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs Cynthia Mamle Morrison for Agona West, and Kwadjo Asante for Suhum. They have filed to contest the upcoming parliamentary election as independent candidates.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP Peter Kwakye-Ackah for Amenfi Central was also affected because he has filed to contest the said election as an independent candidate.

Finally, the seat of Andrew Amoako Asiamah, MP for Fomena, was declared vacant. He was initially elected as an independent candidate but has filed to contest the elections on the ticket of the NPP. In parliament, he serves also as the Second Deputy Speaker.

In view of the development, the NPP has 135 seats in parliament, while the NDC now has 136, making them the new majority.

In reaction, the former Majority Leader, NPP's Alexander Afenyo Markin, challenged the speaker's ruling, and, thereafter, walked out of the House, joined by all members of the NPP side. The standing NPP side has, also, filed a suit at the Supreme Court seeking an interpretation of Article 97 in relation to the Speaker's ruling. 

Per Article 97, an MP shall vacate his seat in Parliament:

"(g) if he leaves the party of which he was a member at the time of his election to Parliament to join another party or seeks to remain in Parliament as an independent member; or

"(h) if he was elected a member of Parliament as an independent candidate and joins a political party. 

Parliament has been adjourned to Tuesday, October 22.

Ghana goes to the polls on Saturday, December 7.