“The Judiciary and the Executive are seemingly colluding to weaken Parliament” – Alban Bagbin

Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has expressed grave worries about what he sees as a concerted attempt by Ghana’s Executive and Judiciary to weaken Parliament’s authority by portraying it as a continuous struggle for dominance between the organs of government.

Following a recent Supreme Court decision that maintained an earlier ruling prohibiting Bagbin from declaring four parliamentary seats empty, Bagbin made these accusations.

The argument about the constitutional limits of the Speaker’s authority and the judiciary’s role in legislative affairs has heated up as a result of this development.

As a distinct arm of government, Parliament should have sole jurisdiction over its own decisions, according to the Speaker’s original application contesting the Supreme Court’s intervention.

Additionally, his application aimed to overturn a writ issued by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, which demanded legal action to stop Bagbin from making any more statements regarding the contested seats.

Bagbin said that this meddling might undermine Ghana’s democracy during a media briefing on Wednesday, accusing the Judiciary and Executive of infringing on legislative independence.

“It is increasingly becoming clear that the judiciary and the executive are seemingly colluding to weaken Parliament,” he said.

He underlined that judicial supervision over legislative authority is inappropriate, particularly when it comes to internal affairs. He also said that such meddling creates a risky precedent that could undermine the separation of powers guaranteed by Ghana’s Constitution.

The Speaker emphasized the vital role that legislative autonomy plays in defending democracy and urged Ghanaians to be watchful in maintaining the independence of all institutions of government.

“The current issues may be likened to power play, and have the potential to undermine our democracy and the authority of Parliament. Its outcome will subvert constitutional powers and the democratic system, which Ghanaians have toiled and sacrificed their lives for.

“Recent acts of the judiciary and I see them as interference to the workings of Parliament. It is becoming increasingly clear that the Judiciary and Executive are seemingly colluding to weaken Parliament.”

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com