Minority walks out of Parliament over Ablekuma North violence

Parliament’s proceedings on Thursday, July 24, 2025, were briefly overshadowed by a dramatic walkout staged by the Minority Caucus — a protest action tied to recent incidents of electoral violence during the Ablekuma North by-election.

Just as the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, was preparing to deliver the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review, Minority MPs rose and exited the chamber, citing their disappointment with what they called Parliament’s failure to confront the “undemocratic scenes” that unfolded during the rerun.

Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh led the charge, addressing the House moments before walking out.

“We cannot continue to sit and act like nothing happened. We cannot pretend the blood and bruises in Ablekuma North are invisible. Our presence here would be a betrayal of the very democratic process we claim to protect,” he stated emphatically.

The Minority had requested to make a formal statement on the floor regarding the alleged assaults and intimidation that occurred at polling stations. However, Speaker Alban Bagbin turned down the request, reminding the caucus that a separate date had already been set aside to debate electoral violence and related matters.

“The concerns are valid, but this House must follow its own rules. Today is for the budget, not for statements,” the Speaker clarified.

Unconvinced and visibly displeased, the Minority members quietly left the chamber, leaving the Majority side to proceed with the budget presentation in their absence.

The parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North, which took place weeks earlier, was marred by disturbing scenes. Reports from observers and journalists indicated the presence of masked men on motorbikes and in pickup trucks, storming polling stations and physically attacking voters and political figures.

Notably, former MPs Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie and Mavis Hawa Koomson were among those allegedly assaulted at St. Peter’s polling station. Journalists were not spared either — JoyNews reporter Salomey Martey was slapped and shoved, GHOne TV’s Kwabena Agyekum Banahene was assaulted by a police officer in uniform, and ATV’s Vida Wiafe was reportedly pepper-sprayed.

In the wake of these reports, public pressure has mounted for a thorough investigation into the violence, as civil society groups warn that continued political impunity could threaten electoral credibility ahead of 2028.

The Minority says it will continue to demand accountability and transparency over what it describes as a dangerous precedent for Ghana’s democracy. Meanwhile, government business in Parliament has resumed.