Historic Reversal: Supreme Court Restores NPP Parliamentary Majority Amid Election Tensions

Ghana's Supreme Court overturned the Speaker of Parliament's declaration of vacant seats, restoring the New Patriotic Party's majority. The ruling was crucial ahead of the December election, as it allowed parliament to proceed with critical operations like approving a $250 million World Bank loan and other legislative agendas.

In a landmark decision, Ghana's Supreme Court ruled against the Speaker of Parliament's declaration of vacated seats, thus reinstating the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) majority in the legislature. This decision comes at a crucial time, mere weeks before the nation heads to the polls on December 7.

NPP caucus leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin successfully petitioned the court to reverse Speaker Alban Bagbin's ruling. Bagbin had claimed seats were vacated by two NPP lawmakers and a National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmaker who registered to contest as independents, thereby altering the parliamentary majority in favor of the NDC.

The court's decision allowed the reconvening of parliament, paving the way for significant legislative work, including the approval of a $250 million World Bank loan to support economic recovery measures. With the imminent election, analysts are closely watching the political landscape, as former President John Dramani Mahama appears poised to challenge the NPP's dominance.

(With inputs from agencies.)