Mercy360 Blog of Tuesday, 29 October 2024
Source: Mercy Mensah
Hon. Kofi Adams, the Member of Parliament for Buem, has thrown his weight behind the Speaker's decision, citing Ghana's Constitution as the backbone of parliamentary procedure and democratic governance. He stressed that the Constitution safeguards multi-party democracy, ensuring no single party can dominate and abolish others .
According to Hon. Adams, political parties aren't private entities; they operate under the Constitution, mandating transparency and accountability. He referenced Article 557, highlighting that a party's constitution is a publicly relevant document .
Hon. Adams also addressed the misconception that only the Supreme Court interprets laws. He emphasized that interpretation occurs at various institutional levels, including the executive and parliament. The Supreme Court only steps in when there's an issue with lower court interpretations .
Regarding parliamentary decisions, Hon. Adams underscored their precedence within Ghana's legal framework. He cited the example of minority leader Haruna Iddrisu's Supreme Court injunction against a parliamentary decision, illustrating parliament's autonomy in revisiting its decisions .
Hon. Adams also discussed the implications of disobeying court orders, noting that it constitutes a "high crime" with severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison and a 10-year ban from holding public office .
*Key Takeaways:*
- _Constitutional Safeguards_: Ghana's Constitution protects multi-party democracy and ensures accountability.
- _Institutional Interpretation_: Laws are interpreted at various levels, not just the Supreme Court.
- _Parliamentary Autonomy_: Parliament has the authority to make and uphold decisions.
- _Constitutional Checks_: External interference should be minimized to maintain parliamentary independence.
By emphasizing these principles, Hon. Kofi Adams reinforced the importance of constitutional adherence and institutional responsibility in Ghanaian politics.