The Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has asked the Supreme Court of Ghana to clarify their directive in their judgement requesting that Mr James Gyakye Quayson’s name be removed from Parliament’s records.
This decision was made after some members of Parliament were unable to agree on when the former Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson’s name should be removed from Parliament’s records, either after the Supreme Court ruling or on January 7, 2021.
According to Mahama Ayariga, MP for Bawku Central, Cletus Avoka, MP for Zebilla, and others, Mr Quayson’s name should be removed from Parliament records following the Supreme Court ruling.
Others, including former minority leader and MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, Asante Akyem North, Andy Kwame Appiah Kubi, and others, believe the former Assin North MP’s name should be removed from Parliament records as of 7 January 2021 due to the Supreme Court’s use of the word EXPUNGE.
Reacting, the Speaker said “What has just happened is strong evidence that there is a need for clarification. Don’t forget that the order is predicated on a number of declaratory rulings by the court, it was not given in isolation. There were four earlier declaratory judgements before the order came as the fifth. The other declaratory judgements said the election of the member was unconstitutional. As a result of that, it was null and void and of no effect.
“The order did not say the Speaker should expunge [his name]. It did not say any Member of Parliament or Clerk should expunge [the name], it says the institution called Parliament. So that institution must carry out the order. The only way the institution can carry out the order is for the institution to reason together. And that is only done in a sitting where the opportunity is given to members to think through it.
“I don’t want to assume powers that are not clearly spelt out in any law. So I did indicate and mentioned to some members of the Supreme Court that there is a need for clarification,” he added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
