The National House of Chiefs is urging Members of Parliament to respect the Supreme Court’s judgment on the voting rights of Deputy Speakers who chair proceedings in the absence of the Speaker.
Speaking during a meeting in Kumasi, the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, stated that complying with the ruling is the best way of maintaining calm in the house.
He however advised the petitioner and other aggrieved groups opposed to the judgement to seek a review to help bring finality to the issue.
With this, he said, “Ghana will continue to be recognised as a country governed by the rule of law and not the rule of men.”
The National House of Chiefs also urged Ghanaians not to encourage coup d’état as an alternative to democratic rule as a result of the prevailing circumstances in the country.
Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II believes democratic governance is the best system and “the most preferred for the majority of Ghanaians.”
“The positive effects of democracy far outweigh the weakness that we observe at times,” he said.
The National House of Chiefs also appealed to the Inspector General of Police and the Military High command “to collaborate to maintain law and order in Bawku traditional area and its surrounding areas.”
The Supreme Court on March 9, 2022, ruled that a Deputy Speaker of Parliament, or any other member of the legislature presiding over business of the House, does not lose his or her right to vote while presiding.
Such a Speaker or Member can also be counted as part of the quorum for decision-making in the House under Article 104(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
The Court, consequently, struck down Order 109 (3) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, describing it as “unconstitutional”.
The Order provides that a Deputy Speaker or any other member of Parliament presiding over the business of the House shall not retain his or her original vote while presiding.
The judgment was greeted with mixed reactions.
Whereas members on the governing New Patriotic Party welcomed the judgment, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, former President John Mahama and a host of other members belonging to the opposition National Democratic Congress rebuked the Supreme Court over the judgment.
They described it as an attempt to dictate to Parliament.
The National House of Chiefs wants Ghanaians to discard perceptions that coup d’état is an alternative to democratic rule.
Some analysts have warned that the worsening economic situation in the country may make Ghana vulnerable to a forceful takeover of government.
Recently, the Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law, Prof. Raymond Atuguba, expressed his fear that Ghana may have a coup on its hands if urgent action is not taken by the state.
“We do not want a coup in this country. Yet I fear that if we do not act quickly, we may have one in our hands very soon,” he said while delivering a lecture in Accra.
There are two different trials ongoing against persons charged with treason-related offences.
But National House of Chiefs President, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, said the House believes democratic governance is the best system and most preferred for the majority of Ghanaians.
He was speaking during a national house of chiefs meeting in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
“In recent times, the use of the word coup or military takeovers have become a very common expression for some people in society. It must be emphasized that irrespective of the form, nature and composition of the military government, democratic and constitutional government is the most preferred choice for majority of Ghanaians. The country has witnessed a number of military interventions in the political history, which to a very large extent did not properly address the political and social aspirations of the country.”
