The year 2024 in Ghana has been marked by several legal battles and issues, spanning parliamentary and electoral matters. These disputes have also sparked interesting discussions and coined some notable terms, particularly the phrase ‘constitutional crisis’.

The term ‘constitutional crisis’ emerged during the parliamentary standoff between the Majority and Minority caucuses over the controversy surrounding the four vacant seats that were eventually taken to the Supreme Court for legal resolution.

Additionally, the term ‘constitutional crisis’ has resurfaced due to recent developments regarding the Electoral Commission's handling of parliamentary electoral results in some constituencies.

Here are the three major personalities who have said Ghana is in a constitutional crisis.

1. Inusah Fuseini

The former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central believes that the actions perpetrated by the Electoral Commission (EC) in handling the disputed parliamentary election results could potentially lead Ghana into a constitutional crisis.

He explained that the EC’s continuous changes in election results threaten the country’s stability and democracy.

“The court never pronounced on whether or not the EC can declare and change the results five times. This matter is very important for our democracy and the condition of our country. It is only by God’s grace that the people of this country are God-loving and have elected democracy as a form of government over any other government,” he said.

He added, “The conduct of the EC, which is highly incompetent, could throw this country into a mess, and people could rise up against the EC and this country, and this country will be in flames.”

2. Gertrude Torkornoo

During the Supreme Court’s hearing of the parliamentary impasse between the Minority and Majority caucuses, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo described the dispute over four seats declared vacant by the Speaker as a constitutional crisis that requires urgent resolution.

During court proceedings on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo expressed concern about the legislative branch's inability to hold sittings and pass laws due to the standoff over which side occupies the Majority in the case of the four vacant seats, calling the situation a crisis.

“This is a constitutional crisis; we’re living in a country where Parliament is not sitting. What is going on?” she quizzed.

3. Martin Kpebu

On the vacant seats saga, private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu described parliament's inability to sit following Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four seats vacant as a constitutional crisis.

He explained that the fact the house and its lawmakers had not sat for weeks and had not conducted government business was alarming.

“Obviously there is a crisis because currently Parliament has not been sitting since 22nd October, and they have not been conducting business. That is a constitutional crisis,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 on Saturday, November 9.

MAG/BB