Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom wades into Parliament-Supreme Court brouhaha

Amid an ongoing legal confrontation between Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and the Supreme Court over four vacant parliamentary seats, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, founder of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), has voiced support for the situation, praising the increased recognition of parliamentary authority.

Speaking on a Facebook Live session on Wednesday, October 30, Dr. Nduom expressed his excitement over what he views as a positive shift in public awareness and respect for Parliament’s role.

“Finally, people are beginning to understand the power of Parliament and what it should represent for us,” he said.

Reflecting on his party’s engagement with the legislative body, Dr. Nduom added, “I have been urging the Progressive People’s Party to pay attention to Parliament. Imagine if we had even one PPP member there. We would provide them with all the resources and support needed to effect real change.”

His remarks come as the Supreme Court recently suspended the Speaker’s declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant, an issue sparked by members from these constituencies intending to run as independent candidates in the December elections. The suspension has created uncertainty over parliamentary control, with three of the affected seats belonging to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Describing the stand-off as a "necessary wake-up call," he stated “Parliament is an independent arm of government, If it’s implementing its standing orders, it should be allowed to do so without interference. No one branch should suppress another."

He further noted that he hopes the situation encourages greater accountability within the government.

“The slim majority in Parliament should remind everyone that the executive cannot act unilaterally,” he stated, emphasizing his wish for balance among Ghana’s branches of government.

In response to the Supreme Court’s intervention, Speaker Alban Bagbin has filed an appeal with Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, requesting the reversal of the decision. After a full-day hearing, the Supreme Court has adjourned the case to November 11, leaving the parliamentary power dynamics and the outcome of the vacant seat dispute hanging in the balance.

AM/KA

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