CDD-Ghana urges Speaker to comply with Supreme court ruling

The Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has called on the Speaker of Parliament and Parliamentarians to comply with the Supreme Court’s directions, notwithstanding disagreements with the ruling.

According to the center, it has followed with keen interest the subsequent declaration of the Speaker’s ruling on October 17, 2024, which had indeed rendered (4) seats vacant in Parliament in which (2) from the NPP, one from the NDC, and one independent and the subsequent suit filed by the Majority Leader, Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markin challenging the Speaker’s authority to declare the vacancies and the Court’s subsequent intervention on October 18, 2024, staying the Speaker’s ruling and directing Parliament to allow the affected MPs to continue with the performance of their duties until the case is fully determined.

In a press release signed by the CDD-Ghana, said it has taken due notice of instruction given to the Speaker and the Attorney General to file their statements of case within seven (7) days of service, followed by a joint memorandum of issues for hearing.

The statement again said, CDD-Ghana acknowledges the diversity of views in the public discourse surrounding this
issue, particularly the legal opinions regarding both the Speakers actions and the Supreme Court’s intervention.

it further indicated that, without a doubt, this situation presents a novel challenge to Ghana’s constitutional practice, stating, “It requires careful and sensitive handling to prevent the onset of constitutional and political turmoil, particularly, as the country approaches the 2024 general
elections”.

Therefore, the center strongly urges all MPs, political parties, the Executive, and the media to act with maximum restraint, a sense of responsibility, and respect for the letter and spirit of the constitutional principles and processes that underpin Ghana’s democracy.

It also implores all stakeholders to prioritize the preservation of the nation’s peace and stabiity and work diigently to avoid a recurrence of the regrettable scenes witnessed during the Speaker’s election on January 7, 2021.

Below is the full statement from CDD-Ghana

Press Release
October 21, 2024
CDD-GHANA CALLS FOR RESTRAINT AND PEACE FOLLOWING THE SUPREME COURT’S DIRECTIONS ON THE VACATION OF MPS’ SEATS, AND AHEAD OF TOMORROW’S SITTING
OF THE PARLIAMENT OF GHANA

The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has closey monitored recent developments in Parliament since October 15, 2024,when the Minority Leader, Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, invoked Artice 97(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution to raise concerns
about the presumed vacation of four(4)pariamentary seats.

The Center equally followed
the Speaker of Parliament’s subsequent declaration on October 17, 2024, that vacancies had indeed occurred concerning the seats of those four(4)MPs, two (2) from the NPP, one from the NDC, and one independent.

The Center has also followed, with keen interest, Majority Leader, Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markin’s application to the Supreme Court challenging the Speaker’s authority to declare the vacancies and the Court’s subsequent intervention on October 18, 2024, staying the Speaker’s ruing and directing Parliament to allow the affected MPs to continue with the
performance of their duties until the case is fully determined.

We have taken due notice of
instruction given to the Speaker and the Attorney Genera to file their statements of case within seven (7) days of service, followed by a joint memorandum of issues for hearing.

CDD-Ghana acknowledges the diversity of views in the public discourse surrounding this issue, particularly the egal opinions regarding both the Speakers actions and the Supreme Court’s intervention.

Without a doubt, this situation presents a novel challenge to Ghanas constitutional practice. It requires careful and sensitive handling to prevent the onset of
constitutional and political turmoil, particuarly as the country approaches the 2024 genera
elections.

The Center strongly urges all Members of Parliament, political parties, the Executive, and the media to act with maximum restraint, a sense of responsibility, and respect for the etter and spirit of the constitutiona principles and processes that underpin Ghana’s democracy.

It implores all stakeholders to prioritize the preservation of the nation’s peace and stabiity and work diigently to avoid a recurrence of the regrettable scenes witnessed during the Speaker’s election on January 7, 2021.

To de-escalate the current tension and uphold the rule of law, CDD-Ghana encourages the Speaker and Parliament to fully comply with the Supreme Court’s directions, notwithstanding disagreements with the ruling.

The timely filing of the required lega
documents will ensure the case proceeds swiftly, and help provide clarity and resolution.

The Speaker and Pariament aso retain the option to seek a review of the Court’s decision, should it find it necessary.

Looking ahead, CDD-Ghana calls for a deep reflectionon the reevant constitutional provisions governing pariamentary seats, especially during election years.

It is vital to ensure that remedies are available for affected individuals and parties without plunging the nation into legal or political uncertainty.

Additionally, CDD-Ghana believes that all outstanding cases seeking to disqualify any candidate from the upcoming elections should be resolved expeditiously.

This wil ensure that no candidate is unfairly deprived of their rights or
opportunity to contest, maintaining fairness in the electoral process.

In the spirit of national unity, we urge al Ghanaians to remain cam, respect the judicial process, and continue to uphold peace as we collectively safeguard Ghana’s democracy.

Source: CDD-Ghana