I can’t remove Speaker of Parliament – Akufo-Addo to ASEPA

A petition by the Alliance for social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) demanding the removal of the Speaker of Parliament has been refused by President Akufo-Addo.

Civil society group, Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), petitioned President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remove Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Ocquaye, “for stated misbehaviour contrary to the public procurement laws of Ghana, abuse of power and corruption.”

ASEPA averred that Prof Ocquaye unilaterally forced Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, to make funds available for the controversial 450-seater parliamentary chamber and selected an architect to proceed with the project even though Parliament had not concluded discussions on the matter.

But a letter dated July, 19, 2019 written by the Presidency in response to ASEPA’s petition and a copy sighted by Kasapafmonline.com said:” In as much as we respect the exercise of your rights as a citizen of Ghana, we are constrained to inform you that the President has no power under the Constitution and laws of Ghana to remove the Speaker of Parliament from office.”

The letter in part read:”The Constitution safeguards the strict separation of powers in such circumstances to prevent one arm of the State from interfering in the affairs of another, except as provided by the Constitution.”