Ghana’s Parliament witnessed a rare moment of protest on Tuesday, as the Minority caucus walked out of the chamber moments before the official swearing-in of Ewurabena Aubynn, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North.
The walkout was triggered not by opposition to Aubynn’s election, but rather by procedural tensions between the two sides of the House. Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, had sought to make a statement ahead of the ceremony—an opportunity that was ultimately denied by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin.
Annoh-Dompreh, after being recognised by the Speaker, signalled his intention to raise a formal issue, presumably relating to the electoral process or concerns surrounding parliamentary conduct. However, his attempt was immediately blocked by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, who insisted that the swearing-in should proceed uninterrupted, and any statements from the Minority could be made afterwards.
The Speaker agreed with the Majority Leader’s position, stating that the floor would be available to Annoh-Dompreh after the oath had been administered. This decision prompted a swift reaction from the Minority side.
“Mr. Speaker, we cannot be part of this swearing-in,” Annoh-Dompreh declared, before leading his colleagues out in protest.
Political observers note that the walkout appears to be a calculated move by the Minority to register disapproval over what they perceive as procedural unfairness, rather than a direct challenge to the legitimacy of the MP-elect.
Despite their absence, the swearing-in proceeded without incident, formally inducting Ewurabena Aubynn into Ghana’s Parliament.
While the Minority has yet to issue a detailed statement on the nature of the concerns they intended to raise, the event underscores ongoing tensions over parliamentary processes and the balance of power within the House. The incident also raises broader questions about how rules of procedure are interpreted and applied—particularly during politically sensitive moments.
