The National Peace Council has called an emergency meeting ahead of the potentially tense parliamentary session set for Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
The meeting aims to prevent disruptions following the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling, which had declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
Tensions are rising, with the Minority in Parliament signaling their intention to occupy the Majority side of the chamber until the Speaker provides a new ruling, sparking concerns over the balance of power in the legislature.
To maintain peace, the National Peace Council is engaging key stakeholders, including parliamentary leadership, executives from both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and other relevant agencies. The main objective is to ensure that Tuesday’s session proceeds smoothly, avoiding potential chaos.
Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, a member of the National Peace Council and spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, emphasized the need for caution and urged all parties to act responsibly to prevent the situation from escalating.
“We don’t want anything unfortunate to happen tomorrow. There have even been discussions about the possible deployment of military personnel, though there is no solid basis for that. However, we must be prepared for any outcome,” he said.
Sheikh Shaibu further encouraged all branches of government to set aside political differences and view the current situation as an opportunity to strengthen Ghana’s democracy.
“This moment is not about one party over the other. It’s about reaching a point in our democratic journey where critical decisions are made for the betterment of our future,” he added.