News:
January 29, 2026
Following a Supreme Court ruling that overturned a flawed Tamale High Court judgment annulling the 2024 parliamentary election in Kpandai, Ghana’s Parliamentary Minority has outlined a four-point action plan.
In a statement, Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin welcomed the apex court’s decision and demanded the following:
1. Immediate Formal Withdrawal: An immediate and formal withdrawal of any residual notifications or administrative acts suggesting the Kpandai seat is vacant. This is to ensure the records of Parliament and the Electoral Commission accurately reflect the Supreme Court’s decision and the continuing mandate of MP Matthew Nyindam.
2. Internal Parliamentary Review: A thorough internal review within Parliament, under the leadership of Speaker Alban S. K. Bagbin. The review would ensure no notification of vacancy is issued while appeals or applications for a stay are pending, unless expressly directed by a final court.
3. Recommitment to Parliamentary Practice: A recommitment by all sides of the House to the long-standing practice of respecting the hierarchy of courts. The Minority cited past experiences (Abodakpi, Sakande, Nyimakan, and Quayson) as precedents for awaiting final judicial determination before taking steps that permanently affect parliamentary representation.
4. Respect for Democratic Avenues: Addressing the National Democratic Congress’s stated disagreement with aspects of the ruling, the Minority affirmed that in a constitutional democracy, such disagreements must be expressed through lawful avenues—reasoned critique, academic debate, or the Supreme Court’s own review procedures. “What must never recur is the attempt to weaponise an unfinalised judgment, still under challenge, to alter the composition of Parliament,” the statement read.
A Victory for the Ballot Box
The statement concluded that the ruling unequivocally means the people of Kpandai have an MP—duly elected on 7th December 2024, declared, gazetted, and now affirmed by the Supreme Court.
“Their right to representation has been restored and protected, and their will as expressed at the ballot box has, at last, been allowed to speak louder than procedural missteps and overreach,” it noted.
Gratitude and Forward Momentum
The Minority extended appreciation to the judiciary, noting that the forthcoming full judgment would provide crucial clarification on jurisdiction and timelines in election petitions.
They also thanked the legal team of Hon. Matthew Nyindam for their “tireless and brilliant advocacy” and celebrated the steadfastness of the people of Kpandai and the local New Patriotic Party members.
The Minority looks forward to welcoming Hon. Nyindam back to his lawful seat when Parliament resumes on 3rd February 2026.
“Going forward, the Minority will remain vigilant in defending due process, electoral integrity, and the sovereign right of every Ghanaian constituency to choose its representative without fear that its mandate will be casually set aside,” the statement affirmed.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso / Ghanamps.com