This Saturday on JoyNews’ Newsfile, host Samson Lardy Anyenini and his panelists will discuss the United States elections and the recent impasse in Parliament.

Donald Trump was elected president, marking a remarkable comeback four years after he was voted out of the White House, and ushering in a new American leadership likely to test democratic institutions at home and relations abroad.

But his win has been highlighted by both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who claim Trump’s victory is a positive signal for their own success in Ghana’s upcoming December 7 general elections.

The NDC, in a statement signed by General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, said Trump’s return to the presidency four years after his exit “… is a good omen for us in the NDC, and a sign of great things to come given the stark parallels it presents as Ghanaians head to the polls to elect a new president on December 7.”

“Just as Americans have chosen to reset their future with experienced leadership, we believe that Ghanaians will reject the current government’s eight years of insensitivity, corruption, and economic mismanagement. The NDC stands ready to bring stability, integrity, and renewed hope to Ghana,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the ruling NPP also stated that just as U.S. voters elected the Republican Party, Ghanaian voters will show similar support in favour of the NPP in the upcoming December polls.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 6, the NPP said, “To this extent, we are excited to learn that increasingly, center-right philosophies are receiving overwhelming support across the globe. It is our fervent hope that, just like in the United States, Ghana’s 'elephant party' will also emerge victorious in the December polls, by the grace of God.”

The NPP further noted that this connection is reinforced by both U.S. President Trump and Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who share a commitment to implementing “bold solutions” for their respective countries.

The show will also delve into the recent parliamentary impasse after Speaker Alban Bagbin declared four parliamentary seats vacant. This has led to confusion, with the NDC caucus now claiming majority status, while the NPP caucus maintains that they are the majority side.

Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo expressed concern over Parliament’s inactive state amid unresolved disputes, admonishing Speaker Bagbin’s legal counsel, Thaddeus Sory, for failing to submit documents on time in an ongoing court case regarding a vacant parliamentary seat—a situation she labeled a "constitutional crisis."

However, Alban Bagbin has dismissed claims that Ghana faces a constitutional crisis. Addressing the media on November 6, he assured that Parliament remains functional despite recent adjournments due to lack of quorum.

“There is no constitutional crisis in this country, I repeat, there is no constitutional crisis in this country. Parliament is alive and working. Let nobody mislead, misinform, or disinform you in this country,” he stated.

But is there truly a constitutional crisis?

Tune in to Newsfile as the panel unpacks these pressing issues.

Newsfile airs live on the JoyNews channel on digital satellite channel 421 on DSTV, 144 on GoTV, and streams on JoyNews’ Facebook and YouTube channels on Saturdays from 9 am to noon. Viewers can also follow the discussion by tuning in to Joy 99.7 FM or Luv 99.5 FM on the radio, or stream the discussion live on Google or Apple Podcasts.

Newsfile: Your most authoritative news analysis program.