Supreme Court verdict disrespects the authority of Parliament – Ransford Gyampo

Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Prof. Ransford Gyampo, is of the opinion that the manner the application of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Bagbin  was thrown out by the Supreme Court, it disrespects the authority of Parliament.

During a phone interview on Joy News Morning Show monitored by MyNewsGH.com, Prof Gyampo stated that the actions of the Supreme Court made parliament look like a secondary institution.

“I was surprised the Speaker’s application was thrown out in a manner that disrespects the authority of Parliament and fostered the attempt to make Parliament quite subservient to the judiciary”. He said.

According to Prof Gyampo, in trying to locate sovereignty among the arms of the government, parliament comes first over any other institution.

He explained that parliament is the only arm of government that provides true representation for the people, explaining that in Ghana, judges are not elected like other countries who elect judges in order to make them accountable to the people or the citizens of the country.

The Senior Lecturer believes the sovereignty of Ghana is traceable to the doorstep of the legislative arm of Government because it provides the avenue for the total representation of the people of Ghana, hence it is unfair to take actions that go against the balance of power among the organs of government in a manner that subordinates parliament in the court.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday October 30, 2024  dismissed an application by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, who sought to overturn the Court’s ruling that suspended his declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant.

This follows an initial suit filed by Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin, challenging the Speaker’s declaration.

The Speaker’s legal team argued that the Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction in this case, among other grounds canvassed in court.

However, after hearing arguments from all parties, including the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the Supreme Court maintained that its earlier ruling was appropriate, stating that the Speaker’s appeal was without merit.

The post Supreme Court verdict disrespects the authority of Parliament – Ransford Gyampo appeared first on MyNewsGh.