The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has told the Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, to act as a referee in the House instead of a member.
As a Speaker, the NPP says the constitution directs him to mediate proceedings and not to partake in the activities of the House as if he was a member.
The party, in a Justin Kodua Frimpong-signed statement Wednesday, October 23, 2024, asked Mr. Bagbin to “eschew his extreme partisan posture when handling the affairs of the august house since he is not an MP.”
It says the posture of the Speaker threatens Ghana’s democracy since his office requires him to be a referee of the House and not act as a member.
It also asked the Speaker to respect the supremacy of the constitution and apply it as it is rather than championing a cause devoid of the powers given to the Speaker as contained in the constitution.
The reaction comes on the back of the brouhaha in parliament following the declaration of some four seats vacant.
“The NPP wishes to use this opportunity to urge the Speaker of Parliament to eschew his extreme partisan posture when handling the affairs of the august house since he is not an MP.
“It is an extremely dangerous posture and threatens to undermine the very essence of our democracy. His mandate under the Constitution as well as his oath of office enjoins him to act as a referee and not a player.
“The Speaker must appreciate the supremacy of the Constitution and realize that neither Parliament nor himself is above the very Constitution which created his office and from which he draws his authority in Parliament. He must also realize that it is only the Supreme Court that has the mandate under the Constitution to interpret and enforce all the provisions of the Constitution,” the statement contained in some part.
The reaction follows the majority-minority conundrum in the House where both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) are claiming majority status.
The confusion comes as a result of a ruling by the Speaker of Parliament Thursday, October 17, 2024, where some four seats were declared vacant. The declaration, subsequently reduced the membership of the governing NPP, who were then Majority to 135, with the opposition NDC, who were the Minority, remaining with 136 members to assume the Majority position.
Leader of the NPP caucus, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, filed an ex parte motion in the Supreme Court, where it ruled to stay with the ruling of the Speaker.
This, has created a confusion since, with both caucuses claiming to be the majority side of the House.
The Speaker adjourned sitting indefinitely after the House couldn’t attain quorum.
FULL TEXT: NPP’s reaction to recent happenings in Parliament
