Minority Raises Concerns Over NDC Majority's Failure to Meet Quorum, Suggesting Lack of Seriousness in Parliament

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has expressed serious concerns over the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Majority’s ongoing inability to maintain the required quorum for parliamentary business. Despite the NDC holding a significant number of seats—183 in total—alongside four independent Members of Parliament (MPs), bringing their total to 187, they have repeatedly failed to meet the quorum needed to proceed with parliamentary affairs.

Mr. Habib Iddrisu, the First Deputy Minority Whip and Member of Parliament for Tolon, addressed the Parliamentary Press Corps following an adjournment of the House on Friday. The session had been suspended because the NDC Majority was unable to gather enough MPs to meet the required quorum, effectively halting legislative proceedings. Mr. Iddrisu, who is also a representative of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), voiced concerns over what he described as a serious issue affecting the legislative process.

He pointed out that the lack of quorum in the House was a clear sign of deeper problems within the NDC, suggesting that internal divisions or a lack of commitment to parliamentary duties might be behind the persistent absenteeism. “The NDC’s consistent inability to gather the required number of MPs is deeply troubling. It reflects poorly on their effectiveness and dedication to the legislative process,” Mr. Iddrisu remarked.

The issue has raised serious questions about the ability of the NDC Majority to effectively manage parliamentary responsibilities and maintain order within their ranks. Mr. Iddrisu further highlighted the Speaker’s struggle to keep control over proceedings, pointing out that this situation indicated a lack of discipline and coordination within the Majority. He suggested that the NDC’s leadership needed to take urgent steps to address these concerns in order to restore order and efficiency in Parliament.

This issue is particularly significant considering that the NDC secured a commanding majority in the 2024 General Elections, winning 183 seats in Parliament. Meanwhile, the NPP won 88 seats, and the independent MPs together contributed an additional four seats. Given the NDC’s substantial numerical advantage, their failure to maintain quorum has raised concerns about internal management and cohesion within the Majority.

One of the broader issues highlighted by Mr. Iddrisu was the gender imbalance in Parliament, with women representing only 15 percent of the MPs. This underrepresentation of women is not only a sign of inequality in the political process but also adds to the challenges facing the legislature in its efforts to ensure diverse and inclusive representation.

Mr. Iddrisu called the NDC’s inability to meet quorum a “wake-up call,” urging the ruling party to urgently resolve its internal issues. He emphasized the need for the NDC to take responsibility for their performance in Parliament and work towards improving their attendance and participation in legislative activities. “It is time for the NDC to step up, address their internal challenges, and ensure that they fulfill their duties to the people of Ghana,” he said.

While the NDC leadership has yet to publicly comment on the issue, the opposition NPP has seized the opportunity to call for increased accountability and transparency. The NPP has been vocal in questioning the NDC’s ability to effectively govern, pointing to the quorum challenges as evidence of deeper dysfunction within the Majority.

This situation is raising important questions about the NDC’s ability to carry out its legislative duties effectively, especially when it holds such a commanding presence in Parliament. The inability to maintain quorum is not only disrupting the work of the House but also casting doubt on the NDC’s capacity to implement policies and govern effectively. As Parliament continues to face these challenges, it remains to be seen whether the NDC can address these issues and restore order to the legislative process.

In conclusion, the ongoing difficulty in maintaining quorum highlights a broader problem for the NDC Majority, one that involves internal divisions, poor management, and a failure to meet the basic requirements of governance. The situation calls for urgent reform within the NDC’s leadership to ensure the proper functioning of Parliament and the effective representation of the people of Ghana.