By: Franklin Asare-Donkoh
The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Mr. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has encouraged the applicant for the voting rights case at the Supreme Court to go for a review following the 7-0 unanimous ruling last Wednesday, March 9, 2022, by the Supreme Court that Deputy Speakers can vote.
In a statement issued Friday, 11th March 2022, Mr. Bagbin said the Supreme Court decision, “is to say the least, not only an absurdity but a reckless incursion into the remit of Parliament.”
He stated: “the trend of unanimity is equally troubling. It doesn’t help explore and expand our legal jurisprudence.”
“The President’s (Akufo-Addo) comment is myopic and unfortunate. It only goes to worsen the schism between the Executive and Parliament,” he added.
The Supreme Court on March 9, 2022 ruled that a Deputy Speaker presiding over proceedings in Parliament has the right to vote on matters and also be counted as part of the quorum for decision-making in Parliament.
Below is the statement from the Speaker Bagbin:
Good morning comrades. I have resisted the temptation of making a comment on the judgment of the Supreme Court on the issue of the voting rights of Deputy Speakers when presiding. But the unfortunate and myopic comment of the President has compelled me to let it out.
The SC decision is, to say the least, not only an absurdity but a reckless incursion into the remit of Parliament.
The trend of unanimity is equally troubling. It doesn’t help explore and expand our legal jurisprudence.
The President’s comment is myopic and unfortunately. It only goes to worsens the schism between the Executive and Parliament.
The impartiality of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, or Presiding Officer has been treasured and fought for by this country throughout our democratic development.
Mr. President, the issue being discussed is not about Parliament being above the law. Everyone knows that Parliament is not above the law. The Executive and the Judiciary are equally not above the law. The issue being discussed is the political question doctrine. It took centuries to detail out the strands of this doctrine and the principles are settled as to when and how this closed book could be opened.
Please, I encourage Plaintiff to go for a review.
END OF STATEMENT
Read More: https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/category/news/politics/
