Peace Council convenes emergency meeting ahead of parliamentary sitting tomorrow

The National Peace Council has convened an emergency meeting ahead of a potentially tumultuous session scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

This urgent gathering comes in response to rising tensions following the Supreme Court’s ruling that halted Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant.

As uncertainty looms over the balance of power in the legislature, the Peace Council aims to prevent any disruptions during this crucial time.

The atmosphere in Parliament has been charged, with the Minority signaling their intent to occupy the Majority side of the chamber until a new ruling is issued by the Speaker.

The Peace Council is engaging with key stakeholders, including parliamentary leadership and executives from both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to ensure a peaceful session free from chaos.

Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, a member of the National Peace Council and spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, emphasized the importance of caution among all parties involved.

He expressed a strong desire to avoid any untoward incidents, acknowledging the unsettling suggestions of potential military deployment in response to the growing unrest. “We must prepare for any outcome,” he stated, urging all sides to view this moment not through a lens of partisanship, but as a critical juncture for Ghana’s democracy.

Security expert Adib Saani voiced his concerns on ABC MIDDAY NEWS, warning that failure to implement preventative diplomatic measures could lead to violence.

He stressed the urgency of engaging all actors involved to mitigate the risk of chaos. “If these diplomatic preventative measures don’t get to work, we might see scrambling at the same chairs,” he cautioned.

The specter of a “national day of shame” looms large, reinforcing the need for robust security and the commitment to diplomatic dialogue as Parliament prepares for its critical sitting.