Kobina Tahir Hammond, the NPP MP for Adansi Asokwa, was involved in a heated exchange with journalists at the forecourt of the Accra International Conference Centre after the Speaker suspended the House indefinitely.
During an intense interview with the press after the NPP MPs boycotted Parliament, a journalist questioned KT Hammond about whether any of the four MPs whose seats had been declared vacant had been prevented from entering the House or carrying out their duties as lawmakers.
The journalist’s question challenged KT Hammond’s assertion that the Speaker had disregarded the Supreme Court’s order for him to delay his decision.
“Mr. Speaker has not disregarded the ruling. None of the four MPs have been prevented from entering. When did any of the MPs attempt to come in and were told not to? Today, the second deputy speaker’s aide was in the chamber, but the deputy speaker himself was not present,” the journalist stated.
In response, KT Hammond, clearly unhappy with the journalist’s question, angrily advised him to seek medical attention and educate himself on the issue, accusing him of being misinformed.
“You are not paying attention. Do you know where they were? You might want to consider seeking medical help. There’s no use in getting upset when you don’t understand the situation,” he exclaimed.
Background
Controversy arose after the Supreme Court stayed the Speaker’s decision to declare four seats vacant, following the affected MPs’ decision to “cross the carpet” by filing to contest the December 7, 2024, parliamentary elections in different capacities—either as independents or on the tickets of other political parties. This action diverges from the basis on which these MPs were originally elected to the House.
The affected seats include those held by Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).
Both sides of the House are now locked in a battle over which party holds the Majority, as the Supreme Court ruling positions the NDC in the Minority while the Speaker’s ruling places the NPP in the Minority.
The core contention centres on whether the Supreme Court has the authority to restrict parliamentary decisions.
MAG/MA
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