In a pivotal legal decision, Ghana’s Supreme Court has issued a stay of execution on Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s ruling, which declared the parliamentary seats of four Members of Parliament (MPs) vacant.
The MPs affected by the ruling are Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central). This stay temporarily blocks the enforcement of Bagbin’s ruling, pending a thorough legal review.
The Speaker’s declaration, which sparked political tensions, was made in response to a motion filed by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu. Iddrisu invoked Article 97(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates that MPs who switch political parties or run as independent candidates must vacate their seats. Bagbin argued that the four MPs had either left their original parties or declared their intent to run as independents, leading him to declare their seats vacant.
Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin quickly challenged the ruling, filing a case with the Supreme Court on October 15, 2024, seeking clarity on the MPs’ statuses. He also requested a stay of execution to halt Bagbin’s decision. On Friday, the Supreme Court granted the stay, preventing any immediate actions regarding the vacant seats.
This ruling allows the four MPs to retain their positions in Parliament while the legal process unfolds, ensuring that parliamentary activities remain uninterrupted.
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