Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has expressed concern over the limited capacity of the current parliamentary chamber, urging the state to begin planning for a more suitable facility to accommodate the growing number of legislators.

His comments followed the swearing-in of two new Members of Parliament — Prof. Seidu Alidu for Tamale Central and Bernard Bediako for Akwatia — bringing the total number of MPs to 276.

“We are happy now to have the full complement of the House. We now have 276 MPs. Please, the number is no longer 275. We have 276,” the Speaker announced during proceedings in Accra on Tuesday, October 21.

Mr. Bagbin noted that the existing chamber was already under strain and warned that additional members could compromise the building’s structural integrity if space constraints were not urgently addressed.

“Anytime the number increases, we have to create space for the member. So please, before this number increases, you must, as a country, as a republic, start looking for a proper place. If not, the integrity of this structure is being undermined — a word to the wise is enough,” he cautioned.

The Minority caucus now has 87 members, while the Majority National Democratic Congress holds 185 seats, along with the support of all four independent MPs.