The Supreme Court has overturned a law that allowed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to impose restrictions in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
President Akufo-Addo imposed restrictions on Ghanaians after the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus in Ghana.
But a law professor, Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, along with eight others, dragged the government to the Supreme Court describing the decision as unconstitutional.
According to them, it unlawfully empowered the President to unilaterally suspend fundamental human rights and freedoms in the whole or a part of Ghana, excluding the special role of the Chief Justice and the Superior Court of Judicature in managing or regulating the suspension of fundamental human rights and freedoms in the whole or a part of Ghana; and excluding the role of Parliament in managing or regulating the suspension of fundamental human rights and freedoms in the whole or a part of Ghana.
A seven-member panel presided over by Justice Jones Dotse agreed with the position held by the professor and the others.
The court ruled that the Imposition of Restrictions Act is inconsistent with the Constitution. The Supreme Court in its decision stated that the Act was null and void.
The court’s full reasons will be made available on June 7.
The case was heard by Justices Jones Dotse, Nene Amegatcher, Nii Ashie Kotey, Lovelace Johnson, Amadu Tanko, Prof Henrietta Mensah Bonsu and Emmanuel Kulendi.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana