NDC takes Attorney General to court over Cabinet

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken the Attorney-General to court again, this time over the President not naming members of his Cabinet.

In a suit filed by Mr Kweku Baah, the party is seeking an order directing the President to designate a Cabinet forthwith in accordance with the Constitution.

It said the NDC is seeking "a declaration that the President's refusal or neglect in designating members of his Cabinet and/or constituting a Cabinet is an act of omission inconsistent with or is in contravention of the Constitution".

In a statement of claim, the NDC said Article 76 of the Constitution provides that there shall be a Cabinet which shall consist of the President, the Vice President and not less than 10 and not more than 19 ministers of state.

The article also states that the Cabinet shall assist the President in the determination of the general policy of the government.

"In spite of the fact that to date the President has appointed over 70 ministers of state and their deputies, no Cabinet has been designated as required by the Constitution," the suit said.

It added that since being sworn into office, the President and his agents have been conducting themselves and making pronouncements as if there is no Constitution to which their actions and pronouncements should conform.

"The plaintiff avers and will contend at the trial that unless ordered to do so by this honourable court, the President, his agents, ministers of state and other officials will continue to conduct themselves with careless abandon of the provisions of the Constitution they have sworn to uphold."

The NDC has taken the government to court over several issues, including the appointment of the chief of staff, government spokesperson and national security adviser. It has also filed a suit against the President over the appointment of the top brass of the Military into acting capacity without consultation with the Council of State.