Ghana is facing a constitutional crisis – Ayine

The Supreme Court’s order to Parliament to stay the ruling of the Speaker declaring four seats vacant is a n indication that Ghana is going through a constitutional crisis, Bolgatanga Lawmaker Dr Diminic Ayine, has said.

He described the Supreme Court order as disturbing after indicating the there is a constitutional crisis in Ghana.

“Basically, you have tied the hands of Mr Speaker and Parliament, which shows that it is interfering with the work of legislature. There is a constitutional crisis.”

He stressed, “we will have to admit honorable Member for Amefi Central into our fold again.”

The execution of the Speaker’s ruling on the four seats declared vacant has been put on hold, pending the final determination of the case at the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court on Friday, October 18 directed Parliament to recognise and allow the four MPs to continue to serve as MPs until the case is determined. The Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin on Thursday, October 17 declared four seats in Parliament vacant.

The constituencies and the lawmakers are:

2. Kwadwo Asante, the current NPP MP for the Suhum constituency in the Eastern Region, who has also filed to run as an independent candidate.

3. Andrew Asiamah Amoako, currently an independent MP for the Fomena constituency in the Ashanti Region, who has filed to run in the upcoming election as a candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

4. Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central), NDC.

The former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu had petitioned the Speaker to declare the seats vacant by invoking Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution which stipulates that a lawmaker must vacate their seat if they leave the party under which they were elected or attempt to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate.