Ghanatodayonline.com News, Politics, Health, Education & More
Speaker Alban Bagbin has been urged by the majority in Parliament to call a new session of the House so that MPs can return to their legislative responsibilities.
This appeal follows the Supreme Court’s decision to follow Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s challenge and overturn Bagbin’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant.
The seven-member panel, presided over by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, ruled in favor of Afenyo-Markin by a majority vote of 5-2 on Tuesday.
A further explanation of the decision would be given later, Chief Justice Torkornoo stated.
Afenyo-Markin emphasized in a statement following the verdict on Tuesday that the court’s finding provided much-needed clarity to the intricate institutional issue that had been consuming the House for quite awhile.
According to him, the court’s decision demonstrated that the speaker is not authorized under the constitution to declare parliamentary seats vacant.
“I reaffirm my utmost respect for your office and your distinguished service to our nation. This judicial interpretation of our constitution should strengthen, not weaken, the relationship between leadership and members of the House” Afenyo-Markin said.
“With the highest regard for your wisdom and commitment to our democracy, I respectfully look forward to your exercise of your authority to reconvene Parliament, so that together, we may resume our sacred duty to the people of Ghana without further delay or discord” he added.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
