Parliament descended into chaos yesterday after members of the Minority Caucus abandoned their seats and massed in the centre of the chamber, triggering a brief scuffle and bringing proceedings to a halt.
The disturbance erupted during heated exchanges over the declaration of the Kpandai parliamentary seat as vacant, a decision the Minority insists is unlawful and procedurally flawed.
Before the fracas, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga had dismissed the continuous protest from the Minority.
He indicated that he was not surprised by what he described as orchestrated attempts to obstruct parliamentary business.
According to him, the Majority would “not be distracted by taunts and disruptions” that have characterized the House since it resumed sitting.
Ayariga accused the Minority of deliberately derailing business over the contested Kpandai seat, stating that the caucus had resorted to noise-making and disorder to prevent the Speaker from delivering rulings.
“We will not be distracted,” the Majority Leader stressed.
“I will let Ghanaians know that you are only pretending to be democrats… How can the Speaker rule if he has not heard all sides?”
He added that there were more “decorous and responsible” ways for the Minority to register their displeasure without paralyzing the House.
But Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh fired back, insisting that government business “will suffer” until the Kpandai matter is resolved.
The tension peaked moments after Annoh-Dompreh’s remarks. Despite the Speaker’s attempts to continue business, the Minority intensified their protest, rising from their seats, moving to the middle of the chamber and chanting objections.
This sudden movement sparked a chaotic confrontation, with MPs from both sides pouring into the centre of the floor. Marshals were forced to step in as tempers flared, MPs gesticulated angrily, and several lawmakers shouted over one another.
Proceedings were temporarily suspended as the Speaker struggled to restore order.
The dramatic scenes mark one of the most turbulent sittings of the current parliamentary session, underscoring the deepening rift between both sides over the Kpandai ruling, which stemmed from a Tamale High Court decision.
