Opposition MPs in Ghana boycotted parliament on Thursday in solidarity with their leader in parliament and a newly elected MP, who are both standing trial on separate charges.
The largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress, said this was the start of actions they were taking “to end the on-going persecution” of the MPs.
The absence of the MPs, who make up half of Ghana’s parliament, compelled the speaker to adjourn proceedings as most of the issues being considered were on questions raised by opposition MPs.
The minority leader Cassiel Ato Forson is accused of causing the financial loss of €2.3m ($2.5m; £1.9m) linked to the purchase of 200 ambulances, an allegation he has denied.
The new MP, James Quayson, is undergoing trial on charges of forgery and perjury.
He has called the handling of the criminal case against him as an act of intimidation and the trial has been described as politically motivated.
The Supreme Court nullified his election for failing to renounce his dual Ghana and Canadian citizenship when he filed a nomination to run as an MP in the 2020 election.
He has been been ordered by a high court judge to appear in court every day, a directive now being challenged at the court of appeal.