Professor Ransford Gyampo, a Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, has forecasted a looming clash between the Legislature and the Judiciary, following a controversial Supreme Court ruling. The court’s decision seeks to halt an earlier move by Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, involving the declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant.
Speaking on Key Points on October 19, Prof. Gyampo expressed his concerns about the escalating tension between the two arms of government. “I foresee that Speaker Bagbin will stand his ground. He may argue that the Supreme Court’s action is contemptuous, setting the stage for an unnecessary confrontation between the Legislature and Judiciary,” Gyampo stated.
His comments came in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, which temporarily blocked Speaker Bagbin’s decision to declare certain parliamentary seats vacant.
The four affected MPs include:
1. Cynthia Morrison – the current NPP Member of Parliament for Agona West in the Central Region, who has filed to contest as an independent candidate.
2. Kwadwo Asante – the NPP MP for Suhum in the Eastern Region, who is also running as an independent candidate.
3. Andrew Asiamah Amoako – an independent MP for Fomena in the Ashanti Region, who plans to contest in the 2024 election on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
4. Peter Kwakye Ackah – the NDC MP for Amenfi Central in the Western Region.
On Friday, October 18, the Supreme Court directed Speaker Bagbin to pause the implementation of his ruling, following an ex-parte motion filed by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, MP for Effutu. The situation has raised concerns about a potential legal and political showdown between Parliament and the courts.
Source: MyABCLive.com, sourced from 3news.com
