The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame has emphasised the importance of respecting the Supreme Court’s decision.
His remarks came after the Supreme Court ruled against Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant, siding with a challenge brought by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
On Tuesday, November 11, a seven-member panel led by Chief Justice Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo ruled in a 5-2 majority in favour of Afenyo-Markin’s position.
Chief Justice Torkornoo announced that the court would provide a detailed explanation of its ruling at a later date.
Addressing journalists shortly after the proceedings, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice contended that compliance with the Supreme Court order is non-negotiable, warning that refusal to comply could disrupt the democratic order.
“Whenever the court speaks, it’s a clear and emphatic order, even if it a very narrow majority, that is the decision of the court, and that decision must be respected.
“It will result in the degeneration of society and the distraction of our democratic order for anybody at all to refuse to comply with the order of the Supreme Court and I think that is non-negotiable. It’s something that we must all respect,” he said.
Dame applauded the Supreme Court for intervening in the matter, expressing dismay over calls for the case to be withdrawn.
“It’s very important the Supreme Court ruled on this matter. It’s necessary the Supreme Court came to a conclusion of this matter,” he said.
There is currently a tussle over the composition of the Majority and Minority seats, with the Minority claiming to be the Majority.
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