Former Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Osei-Kyei Mensah Bonsu, has suggested that any disruptions that may occur in Ghana’s parliament on Tuesday should be attributed to Speaker Alban Bagbin.
He expressed concern that both parliamentary caucuses could convene in the Chamber on Tuesday and opt to sit on the Speaker’s right side, potentially leading to chaos.
During an interview on the Orange Sunrise, Osei-Kyei Mensah Bonsu elaborated that the Speaker’s recent decisions have needlessly plunged the nation into a constitutional crisis.
He criticized the Speaker’s ruling on Article 97(1) g and h as unconstitutional, citing the Supreme Court’s intervention to halt the declaration.
The controversy arose when four MPs – Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah (NDC), Andrew Asiamah Amoako (Independent), Kwadjo Asante (NPP), and Cynthia Morrison (NPP) – submitted nomination papers for the 2024 parliamentary elections under different party affiliations.
Speaker Bagbin’s decision on October 17, 2024, to declare their seats vacant sparked outrage within the Majority Caucus.
The Majority Caucus contended that the Speaker’s actions infringed upon the Supreme Court’s authority, violated Article 99(1) of the Constitution, and disregarded ongoing judicial proceedings.
They argued that the ruling flouted due process, established a dangerous precedent undermining public trust in democratic institutions.
They also raised concerns about potential manipulation of parliamentary majority and obstruction of legislative efforts.
Seasoned Legislator, Osei-Kyei Mensah Bonsu therefore cautioned that such attempts to alter the parliamentary landscape posed a significant threat to governance and democratic integrity.
He attributed various parliamentary confusions, including incidents during the 2021 inaugural ceremony, Gyakye Quayson’s case, and Adwoa Sarfo’s absenteeism, to the Speaker.
He urged the Speaker to adhere to the Supreme Court’s directives to prevent any potential violence in parliament.
Osei-Kyei Mensah Bonsu also stated that he did not endorse the decision made by the former Speaker, Prof. Mike Oquaye, to declare the Fomena seat vacant.
Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, declared the Fomena seat in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti Region vacant, following a decision by the incumbent MP to contest for re-election as an independent candidate.
Amoako Andrew Asiamah, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Fomena, is no longer running on the ticket of the governing party, and according to the rules of Parliament and the constitution of Ghana, the seat must be declared vacant, the Speaker said.
Article 97 (1)(g) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana states that a member of parliament shall vacate his seat if he leaves the party of which he was a member at the time of his election to Parliament to join another party or seeks to remain in Parliament as an independent member.
However, Osei-Kyei Mensah Bonsu said the former speaker also erred in his ruling.
