Social commentator and activist, James Kwabena Bomfeh, also known as Kabila, has raised alarm about Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, claiming that his actions could potentially jeopardize Ghana’s democracy.
Kabila voiced his concerns during an interview on Peace FM on Wednesday, October 23. He specifically criticized the Speaker’s management of parliamentary issues, especially in relation to the current disagreement surrounding the status of four parliamentary seats. The dispute arose when Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader in Parliament, cited Article 97(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution on October 15, 2024.
This action prompted questions regarding the status of four Members of Parliament: two from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), one from the NDC, and one independent MP.
Despite the Supreme Court’s decision to temporarily halt the ruling, the NDC legislators have declared their intention to disregard the court’s ruling and will only comply with Speaker Bagbin’s instructions.
This impasse has evolved into a significant political and legal conundrum. Kabila is of the opinion that Speaker Bagbin’s choice to adjourn the House indefinitely on Tuesday, October 22 during the tensions is exacerbating the situation. He contends that Speaker Bagbin’s actions are undermining the stability of Parliament and, in turn, the democratic institutions of the nation.
Kabila stressed that the Speaker’s duty is to uphold the law and ensure the smooth functioning of parliamentary proceedings, but Bagbin’s decisions seem to be fostering division.
He urged Ghanaians to stay alert and called on leaders to uphold the rule of law, cautioning that Bagbin’s actions could have significant repercussions for Ghana’s democracy.
“According to the law, we have 275 seats in Parliament and no one is permitted to change that number to 271, not even the Supreme Court. “He poses a threat to our democratic system,” he stated.
