The Minority in Parliament staged a walkout on Thursday, 17 July, following comments by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga regarding the yet-to-be-declared vacancy of the Akwatia parliamentary seat.
The seat became vacant after the recent passing of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Member of Parliament for the area.
During proceedings, Mr Ayariga raised the issue with Speaker Alban Bagbin, questioning when the vacancy would be officially declared. He argued that parliamentary protocol required the Clerk of Parliament to notify the Electoral Commission within seven days of becoming aware of a vacancy.
“After being informed by the Leader of the Caucus through a statement in this House, the Clerk himself followed up at [the MP's] house and met family members of the deceased, who confirmed the passing. And this was on national television,” Mr Ayariga said.
However, Speaker Bagbin responded that the House could not proceed with a formal notification until it received an official communication from the late MP’s family.
Tensions escalated when Mr Ayariga alleged that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had already begun campaigning in Akwatia, circulating posters featuring the widow of the late MP, Mavis Kumi, as a prospective candidate for a by-election.
The Minority described Ayariga’s remarks as premature and insensitive, accusing him of politicising a period of mourning. In protest, they walked out of the chamber.
