Ghana’s Democracy in Chains: Judicial Overreach Unleashed – Ahmed M. Gedel writes:

The Supreme Court’s recent decision to stay Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling, declaring four parliamentary seats vacant, reeks of judicial overreach, undermining the very foundations of Ghana’s democracy.

This brazen move, made without the input of Speaker Bagbin or Parliament, effectively usurps the authority vested in the Speaker by the Constitution, setting a perilous precedent that threatens to upend the delicate balance of power.

By halting the enforcement of the Speaker’s ruling, the Supreme Court has, in effect, become the arbiter of parliamentary decisions, eroding the separation of powers and creating an unsettling uncertainty about the legitimacy of legislative actions.

This is a blatant affront to the principles of democracy, where the judiciary, legislature, and executive are meant to operate as distinct yet complementary branches of government.The four MPs in question, three from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and one from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), were deemed ineligible due to their pursuit of other political endeavors.

By allowing them to retain their seats, the Supreme Court has, in essence, given its imprimatur to opportunism, undermining accountability and rewarding the very behavior that undermines the integrity of Ghana’s parliamentary system.

This ruling jeopardizes the representation of the affected constituencies, potentially leaving them without a genuine voice in Parliament. The stay of execution effectively disenfranchises the voters who elected these MPs, denying them the right to proper representation and perpetuating a charade of democracy.

The implications are far-reaching and chilling. If the judiciary can unilaterally override parliamentary decisions, what checks remain to prevent the erosion of our democratic institutions? The people’s trust in the system is already tenuous; this decision will only serve to further alienate them.

Ghana’s democracy hangs in the balance, and it is imperative that we vigilantly guard against any attempts to subvert our institutions.

The Supreme Court’s decision demands scrutiny, and we must ensure that the rule of law is upheld, not manipulated for political expediency. We cannot afford to let judicial overreach compromise the integrity of our institutions.
The time for complacency is over; the future of Ghana’s democracy demands urgent attention.

We must rise to defend the principles of accountability, transparency, and representation that underpin our democracy. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust placed in us by the people.

Ahmed M. Gedel
Former NDC Technical Advisor on Biometric and NDC Rep@ IPAC &UNDP-Ghana.

Deputy Zongo Caucus Coordinator, USA.

Source: Today.com.gh