CDD Ghana Urges Parliament to Heed Supreme Court’s Directive on Vacant Seats

ACCRA: The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has called on the Speaker of Parliament and the Parliament to adhere to the Supreme Court's recent ruling despite disagreements over the decision. This appeal, aimed at mitigating current tensions and upholding the rule of law, was made in a statement issued ahead of the House's upcoming session. According to Ghana News Agency, CDD-Ghana emphasized the importance of promptly filing the necessary legal documents to facilitate a swift resolution to the case concerning the presumed vacancy of four parliamentary seats. The Centre has been closely monitoring developments since October 15, when Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson invoked Article 97(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution, raising concerns about the seats. The Speaker declared these vacancies on October 17, affecting two New Patriotic Party (NPP) members, one National Democratic Congress (NDC) member, and one independent member. The Centre also noted the Majority Leader, Mr. Alexander K wamina Afenyo-Markin's challenge to the Speaker's authority in the Supreme Court, which resulted in the Court's intervention on October 18. The Court stayed the Speaker's ruling and directed that the affected MPs continue their duties until the case is fully resolved. CDD-Ghana acknowledged the diversity of opinions on the legal aspects of the Speaker's actions and the Court's intervention, recognizing the situation as a novel challenge to Ghana's constitutional practice. The Centre urged all stakeholders to prioritize peace and stability, highlighting the need for careful handling of the situation as the 2024 General Election approaches. It also suggested that the Speaker and Parliament might seek a review of the Court's decision if deemed necessary. CDD-Ghana called for reflection on constitutional provisions governing parliamentary seats during election years to avoid legal and political uncertainty. The Centre stressed the importance of resolving outstanding cases related to candidate disqualification p romptly to ensure fairness in the electoral process and prevent any candidate from being unfairly deprived of their rights.