Governance expert and Executive Director of the African Parliamentary Network, Professor David Abdulai, has condemned the barbaric act displayed by the Minority in Parliament on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
The Minority had disrupted proceedings over the Speaker’s directive for parliamentary business to continue, when the caucus had demanded that the House be adjourned since the ruling on the Kpandai seat vacancy had been deferred.
The sitting descended into chaos after Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, told Parliament that no government business should continue until the dispute over the Kpandai seat was resolved.
The Speaker, however, ruled after a voice vote that proceedings would go on. In protest, Minority MPs began chanting and trying to disrupt the session.
The situation escalated as the Minority legislators dressed in black and all in black face masks, stood and moved toward the front of the chamber, while some Majority MPs moved forward as well to prevent them from occupying the space. Both sides met in the middle, creating a tense standoff.
The chamber erupted into loud shouts and chants, with the Speaker repeatedly calling for order. Parliamentary marshals struggled to restore calm.
Despite the disorder, the Speaker continued with government business, keeping the House on schedule amid the disruption.
Responding to the development on Ghana Tonight on TV3 Wednesday, December 9, 2025, Professor Abdulai said “it’s very sad that our legislature is brought down to this kind of behaviour.”
According to him, there are better ways the MPs could have expressed their displeasure, rather than resorting to acts that undermine the integrity of the nation’s legislature.
“Anytime you’re in leadership position, it’s a privilege to serve your people. If the Minority really does not support what is happening or the rerun of the elections in Kpandai, they have better ways of expressing their displeasure than to try to stop the business of Parliament,” he admonished.
Prior to the disturbances, the Minority blocked the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, from responding to calls for the withdrawal of a letter from the Clerk of Parliament, declaring the seat vacant.
The letter, dated December 4, 2025, was sent to the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Adukwei Mensa, following a High Court ruling ordering a rerun of the Kpandai election.
