The African Center for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) has called for an urgent meeting between the heads of Ghana’s three arms of government—President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo—to address the ongoing impasse over which parliamentary caucus holds the majority.
This call follows the continued claims by the minority caucus to the majority status, despite a Supreme Court ruling that suspended the Speaker’s declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant.
In an interview with Citi News, ACEPA’s Executive Director, Dr. Rasheed Draman, voiced concern that the deadlock could have serious implications for the country’s democracy.
“It is a grave matter for our democracy. If I were to offer any advice, it would be for the three branches of government—our president, speaker, and Chief Justice—to sit down and have a conversation,” Dr. Draman said.
He stressed the need for parliamentary leadership to be part of the talks to prevent any potential chaos. “This situation could lead to a breakdown of law and order,” he warned. “In the worst-case scenario, we could see the military stepping in to resolve the conflict, as the parliamentary process would no longer be functioning. This could result in the usurpation of civilian authority, with far-reaching consequences.”
Dr. Draman emphasized that resolving the issue swiftly is essential to safeguarding Ghana’s democratic stability.
