The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has raised alarm over what he perceives as a concerted effort by the Judiciary and Executive to undermine the authority of Parliament.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Bagbin expressed grave concerns about growing interference and a power struggle among the arms of government. He accused both branches of government of challenging the jurisdiction and powers of Parliament, which he described as the “repository of the sovereign will of the people of Ghana.”
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“Recent actions by the judiciary and the executive are directly undermining the essence, authority, and functioning of Parliament,” he said. “It is increasingly becoming clear that the judiciary and the executive are seemingly colluding to weaken Parliament.”
Bagbin warned that the actions of these government branches, if left unchecked, could destabilize Ghana’s democratic foundation and threaten the constitutional order. He likened the current situation to a power struggle that could diminish the authority of Parliament and undermine the nation’s democracy.
The Speaker’s remarks followed the Supreme Court’s recent intervention in the issue of four parliamentary seats that he had initially declared vacant. Bagbin contended that the court’s decision challenged Parliament’s authority over its internal matters. Reflecting on the 2020 elections, he noted that Ghanaian voters had rejected a majoritarian, winner-takes-all system, calling instead for a more inclusive, collaborative approach that promotes national interests over partisan agendas.
“The expectation of the voters was for a Parliament that prioritizes national interests and encourages consensus-building,” Bagbin stated, stressing the importance of maintaining a Parliament that works for the collective good of the nation, not individual or partisan gains.
