The Supreme Court has said the Speaker of Parliament’s October 17 ruling declaring four seats of MPs vacant is unconstitutional.
The court delivered judgment today, November 12, by a 5-2 majority decision over the challenge brought by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin for interpretation of Article 97(1)(g) of the Ghana’s Constitution, which was cited as the basis for declaring the seats vacant.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo who presided over the case said in a brief address that the court would provide its detailed reasoning later on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
“By court in in a majority decision of five two, Lovelace Johnson JSC and Ahmadu Tanko JSC dissenting on the issue of jurisdiction, the plaintiff’s action succeeds the full reasons and orders of the court shall be filed with the registrar by close of date, tomorrow, 13th, November 2024 the is the judgment of the court,” the Chief Justice said.
The case had been one of the major issues that plagued Ghana’s Parliament over the past weeks. Over the period, Parliament had been adjourned twice indefinitely as both sides of the House tussled over who should sit on the majority side and minority side.
While this impasses went on, many had raised concerns over the potential impact on key bills and legislative work including the approval of the 2025 budget. But it is not yet clear when Parliament would be recalled to approve these crucial business.
