Kwadjo Asante, the Member of Parliament for Suhum, disclosed that upon filing to contest as an independent candidate, he was removed from the WhatsApp platform comprising all Members of Parliament affiliated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He attributed this action to the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri. Asante noted that Annoh-Dompreh reinstated him to the platform without providing an explanation for his initial removal.
Having been elected on the New Patriotic Party’s ticket in December 2020, Asante declared his intention to run as an independent candidate after losing the parliamentary primary for the December 2024 polls. However, this decision, in line with Article 97 of the 1992 Constitution, necessitates vacating his seat in the House.
The Speaker’s ruling on Thursday, October 17, 2024, resulted in the NPP, which previously held the majority in Parliament, becoming the minority, with the opposition NPP assuming the majority. Subsequently, a Supreme Court verdict, following an ex parte motion, stayed the ruling and directed the House to allow the members to retain their positions until a substantive motion seeking an interpretation of the Article is determined.
On Tuesday, October 22, the NPP MPs left Parliament, leading to the Speaker adjourning the House indefinitely due to a lack of quorum.
