Supreme Court ruling has complicated parliamentary dynamics- Dr. Draman Observes

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament (MPs) recently occupied the majority side of Ghana’s Parliament, despite a Supreme Court ruling that overturned a previous decision by Speaker Alban Bagbin.

The situation has sparked discussions about the complexities of Ghana’s constitutional framework and the implications for parliamentary proceedings.

The backdrop to this political drama involves Speaker Alban Bagbin declaring four seats in parliament vacant, which inadvertently positioned the NDC as the majority party in the House.

However, the Supreme Court’s reversal of this ruling added layers of complexity to the political landscape, leading to questions about the constitutionality of parliamentary practices.

Dr. Rasheed Draman, the Executive Director of the Africa Center for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), addressed these issues on TV3’s Key Points program monitored by MyNewsGh.com.

He emphasized the challenges presented by the current framework of the 1992 Constitution, which governs parliamentary operations in Ghana.

“The more I read this situation, the more I realize that our constitution, the way it is framed and has been designed, makes the work of parliament a little difficult,” Dr. Draman stated.

He called for clarity on constitutional provisions that pertain to parliamentary functions to ensure all members operate on a common understanding.

The implications of the Supreme Court ruling have far-reaching consequences for both the NDC and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). The power dynamics within Parliament are crucial, as they influence legislation, governance, and the ability to pass critical policies.

In a parliamentary system where every seat counts, the presence of a majority can significantly alter the legislative agenda.

Furthermore, the current situation has revealed a pattern in Ghana’s political landscape where parties are quick to resort to legal avenues to resolve disputes. Dr.

Draman noted, “They should try and talk; what we see is that the least challenging people will run to the court. It’s fine, but it simply means that tomorrow when someone is not pleased, they will invoke the rule just to frustrate the process.”

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