Former Gomoa West MP, Alexander Abban has criticised Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin for rejecting a Supreme Court writ served on October 15, 2024, claiming it was an improper use of Article 117 of the Constitution.
Mr Abban argued that the Speaker's actions seemed to exploit the article's protections in a way that deviates from its intended purpose.
He clarified that Article 117 is meant to shield the Speaker, MPs, and the Clerk of Parliament from being served with legal processes while they are attending parliamentary proceedings, a safeguard intended by the Constitution’s framers to ensure that democratic processes are not disrupted.
He noted that this protection was established to maintain the smooth functioning of Parliament without interference.
However, Mr Abban contended that this provision was not designed to defend actions that may be seen as "mischievous" within Parliament.
He suggested that using Article 117 as a shield against accountability might stretch its intended purpose, potentially compromising the transparency expected of parliamentary proceedings.
In an interview with Channel One TV on Saturday, November 2, Abban emphasised that Article 117 should not be invoked to prevent checks and balances within government.
He expressed concern that its current interpretation could be undermining the spirit of accountability that the framers intended, calling for a more balanced approach to applying this constitutional protection.
“I think this provision was given by the framers of the constitution to prevent parliament from unnecessary distractions. As they continue to do their work all in federacy of the expansion or deepening of our democracy, that to me was a shield to protect Parliament."
“But when parliament’s own actions or inactions are brought to bear or are under question should we still apply this, was that the mischief the framers of the Constitution wanted to cure? So it appears to me that what was given as a shield was immediately turned into a sword by the speaker to pierce the very heart of democracy. So to me the things that have happened I think the Supreme Court was right.”
Latest Stories
-
I want to focus more on my education – Chidimma Adetshina quits pageantry
2 hours -
Priest replaced after Sabrina Carpenter shoots music video in his church
2 hours -
Duct-taped banana artwork sells for $6.2m in NYC
3 hours -
Arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas commander over alleged war crimes
3 hours -
Actors Jonathan Majors and Meagan Good are engaged
3 hours -
Expired rice saga: A ‘best before date’ can be extended – Food and Agriculture Engineer
3 hours -
Why I rejected Range Rover gift from a man – Tiwa Savage
3 hours -
KNUST Engineering College honours Telecel Ghana CEO at Alumni Excellence Awards
3 hours -
Postecoglou backs Bentancur appeal after ‘mistake’
4 hours -
#Manifesto debate: NDC to enact and pass National Climate Law – Prof Klutse
4 hours -
‘Everything a manager could wish for’ – Guardiola signs new deal
4 hours -
TEWU suspends strike after NLC directive, urges swift resolution of grievances
4 hours -
Netflix debuts Grain Media’s explosive film
5 hours -
‘Expired’ rice scandal: FDA is complicit; top officials must be fired – Ablakwa
5 hours -
#TheManifestoDebate: We’ll provide potable water, expand water distribution network – NDC
5 hours