The National Peace Council has convened an emergency meeting ahead of what is expected to be a tense parliamentary session on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
The meeting aims to prevent disruptions following the Supreme Court’s decision to halt Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling, which had declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
Tensions have been mounting, with the Minority in Parliament signalling their intention to occupy the Majority side of the chamber until the Speaker issues a new ruling.
This standoff arises amidst political uncertainty concerning the balance of power in the legislature.
In an effort to maintain peace, the National Peace Council is engaging with key stakeholders, including the leadership of Parliament, executives of both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and other relevant agencies.
The primary goal of the meeting is to ensure that Tuesday’s session proceeds peacefully, avoiding any potential chaos.
Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, a member of the National Peace Council and spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, stressed the importance of caution and urged all parties to act responsibly to prevent escalating tensions.
“We don’t want to see anything untoward happen tomorrow. There have even been suggestions that military personnel might be deployed, though there is no solid basis for that. Still, we must prepare for any outcome,” he stated.
Sheikh Shaibu advised that the various arms of government set aside political sentiments and view the current situation as an opportunity to strengthen Ghana’s democracy.
“This moment is not about one party or the other. It is about reaching a point in our democratic journey where crucial decisions must be made for the betterment of our future,” he added.