The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has expressed deep concerns over what he calls a coordinated effort by the Judiciary and Executive to diminish Parliament’s authority. Bagbin’s remarks, made during a media briefing on Wednesday, cast the situation as an escalating power struggle that threatens the constitutional balance among Ghana’s branches of government.
The Speaker’s statement follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld a previous decision preventing him from declaring four parliamentary seats vacant, a move Bagbin argues was within his jurisdiction. This ruling has further fueled debate over the constitutional limits of the Speaker’s authority and the judiciary’s role in parliamentary matters.
In response, Bagbin filed a formal challenge to the Supreme Court’s intervention, contending that Parliament should independently govern its internal decisions without judicial interference. He also sought to nullify a writ by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, which had petitioned the court to restrict Bagbin from making additional declarations regarding the disputed seats.
During the briefing, Bagbin warned that interference by the Judiciary and Executive in legislative affairs could destabilize Ghana’s democratic system. He emphasized that parliamentary authority, especially in internal affairs, should not fall under judicial oversight, arguing that such precedents could erode the separation of powers enshrined in Ghana’s Constitution.
“The current issues resemble a power play with the potential to destabilize our democracy and weaken parliamentary authority,” Bagbin stated, adding, “This collusion between the Judiciary and Executive threatens the constitutional powers and democratic system Ghanaians have fought hard to establish.”
The Speaker urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant in protecting the independence of all branches of government, stressing the essential role of legislative autonomy in safeguarding democracy.
