The Majority in Parliament has urged the Minority caucus to move past the current impasse and refocus on their legislative duties.
This call comes after the Supreme Court overruled Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant.
In a ruling on Tuesday, the seven-member panel, led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, delivered a 5-2 majority decision siding with Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s challenge against Bagbin’s declaration.
The case stemmed from Speaker Bagbin’s interpretation of Article 97(1)(g) of the Constitution, which he used to justify declaring the seats vacant. This move sparked significant legal and political debate, with Afenyo-Markin arguing that Bagbin had exceeded his constitutional authority by acting without judicial review and denying the option for by-elections in the affected constituencies.
To halt the Speaker’s ruling, the Supreme Court issued an interim injunction, which Bagbin contested by filing a counter-application. He argued that parliamentary decisions fell outside the judiciary’s jurisdiction, as they pertain to non-judicial actions. His counsel, Thaddeus Sory, also claimed that judicial intervention in parliamentary matters undermines the separation of powers outlined in the Constitution.
However, Chief Justice Torkornoo dismissed Bagbin’s application, affirming the Court’s authority to intervene in parliamentary decisions that may contravene constitutional principles.
Following that, Afenyo-Markin in a statement noted, “To my colleagues across the political divide, I extend a hand of friendship. The time has come for us to move beyond this episode and redirect our energies toward our primary duty—serving the good people of Ghana who elected us to represent their interests.”
“Our nation faces pressing challenges that demand our united attention and collaborative effort.”
Afenyo-Markin further urged the legislators to remember that they were first and foremost servants of the people.
“The voters who sent us to parliament expect us to prioritize their interests above all else. They deserve nothing less than our total commitment to advancing the development agenda that will improve their lives,” he added.
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