The Executive Director of the Africa Center for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr. Rasheed Draman has called for clarity to be given to the aspects of the 1992 Constitution that touch on the works of Parliament.
He states that the way and manner the Constitution has been designed makes the works of Parliament difficult.
“The more I read this situation, the more I realize that our constitution, the way it is framed and has been designed, make the work of parliament a little difficult, they will have to be given more clarity so that all of us will be on the same page,” he said.
Dr Draman further said that there should be ways that lawmakers can dialogue on their disagreements rather than running to court all the time.
In his view, resorting to the courts by the Members of Parliament, although nothing wrong with it, frustrates the parliamentary process. Dr Draman however, notes that it will not be easy to get the lawmakers to dialogue and agree on issues.
Speaking on the tussle that took place in Parliament over who occupies the Majority side, on TV3’s Key Points Saturday, October 26, he said “They should try and talk, what we see is that the least challenge people will run to the court, it’s fine but it simply means that tomorrow when someone is not pleased they will invoke the rule just to frustrate the process.”
The Supreme Court on Friday, October 18 directed Parliament to recognise and allow the four MPs to continue to serve as lawmakers until the case is determined. This was after the Speaker had, on Thursday, October 17, declared four seats in Parliament vacant.
The constituencies and the lawmakers are:
2. Kwadwo Asante, the current NPP MP for the Suhum constituency in the Eastern Region, who has also filed to run as an independent candidate.
3. Andrew Asiamah Amoako, currently an independent MP for the Fomena constituency in the Ashanti Region, who has filed to run in the upcoming election as a candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
4. Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central), NDC.
The former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu had petitioned the Speaker to declare the seats vacant by invoking Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution which stipulates that a lawmaker must vacate their seat if they leave the party under which they were elected or attempt to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate. The Majority Leader Afenyo-Markin had filed a suit at the Sup
The Speaker on Tuesday adjourned Parliament indefinitely.
