Akufo-Addo defends Supreme Court, says no one is above the law
President Akufo-Addo has agreed with the ruling of the Apex Court supporting the fact that Deputy Speakers are allowed to vote while leading proceedings in the house bringing some uneasy calm amongst the political class as the opposition does not agree with the ruling of the Apex court. The issue came up in the lead up to the approval of the 2022 budget.
He argued that the onus lies on the Judiciary to interpret the law of the land, debunking the Minority’s claims that the ruling amounts to the interference of the legislature.
He further explained that no one is above the law of the country hence the legislature must respect the ruling of the Supreme Court.
“All organs of the state including me [President Akufo-Addo], as the head of the executive, are subject to the constitution. There is nobody or organ in the Ghanaian state that is above the laws of the land. To suggest that Parliament should operate without interference is to advocate for the very matter we have tried to avoid, the concentration of power. We have had that experience before and don’t want that,” the President said on Thursday, March 10, 2022.
On Wednesday, March 9, 2022, The Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling stated that Deputy Speakers of Parliament can take part in voting while presiding over proceedings of the house in the absence of the Speaker of Parliament.
The said case was brought by a law professor, Justice Abdulai, who was contesting the First Deputy Speaker’s decision to count himself to form a quorum for voting on the 2022 budget.
The Court also quashed order 109 (3) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, describing it as unconstitutional.
Some are of the view that this judgment interferes with the business of Parliament.
But President Akufo-Addo disagrees with this assertion and was happy with the ruling.
He said he was astonished at “how much public energy has been wasted in an area or issue where there is so much clarity.”
“I am happy that the Supreme Court has unanimously clarified what the constitutional position is. At least we can put this matter to rest and continue with the business.”
“Now that the Supreme Court has pronounced, we need to put the matter to rest and continue our work.”
“Let’s support the Supreme Court to do its work,” he added.
