Former President John Dramani Mahama has fired back at the ruling by the Supreme Court which declared by a unanimous decision that Deputy Speakers of parliament have a right to vote and be counted to form a quorum.
In a short post on Facebook, Mr. Mahama said if the Deputy Speakers can vote on issues them it would be best for them to participate in debates on the floor of the House when they are presiding.
He believes the ruling by the court is leading the country into an absurdity.
He wrote “If Deputy Speakers, because they are Members of Parliament, can vote while presiding as Speaker, they could as well be able to participate in any debate on the floor over which they are presiding.
This is the absurdity into which the Supreme Court ruling leads us.”
He had earlier tweeted describing the timing as shocking it not surprising.
The tweet read “A unanimous 7-0?
Shocking but not surprising. An unfortunate interpretation for convenience that sets a dangerous precedent of judicial interference in Parliamentary procedure for the future.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has reached to the ring describing it as one that brings finality to the needless confusion.
To him, the constitution was clear on the issue of Deputy Speakers and the agents, and confusion that erupted over the matter was not necessary.
“As far as I can see it, and I think the Supreme Court has confirmed it, the matters involved in this are open and shut, they are black and white. There can be no dispute about the issues that the gentleman took to the Supreme Court. It is there for anybody who wants to see in Articles 102, 104 of the Constitution. It makes it absolutely clear, in black and white, that the Deputy Speakers, and I am not talking about the Speaker, when they are presiding have the right to participate in the vote of the Parliament.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
