Finally addressing the ongoing controversy following the Supreme Court's order that nullified his decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant, Speaker of the House Alban Bagbin has addressed the matter. "God bless our homeland Ghana and make it great and strong, beyond any single individual or institution," Mr. Bagbin stated in a Facebook post.
Following the Supreme Court's order on Friday, October 18, telling the Speaker to stop enforcing his decision to declare the four seats empty, came this comment. The decision has prompted intense discussion, with legal experts expressing varying opinions on two main points: first, whether the Speaker is authorized by Article 97 of the 1992 Constitution to declare parliamentary seats vacant, and second, whether the Supreme Court has the authority to overrule the Speaker's decision.
Speaker Bagbin's Facebook post, which was issued only hours before Parliament is scheduled to return, has piqued curiosity as speculation about his possible response continues. While some anticipate that the Speaker would cooperate, others predict he may contest the Supreme Court's decision. In closing, he says, "...beyond any single individual or institution," implying that the events that are taking place will have a significant impact on the relationship between the judiciary and Parliament.