Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has raised concerns about the Supreme Court’s declaration of a constitutional crisis due to the lack of parliamentary proceedings.
He pointed out the apparent contradiction in this stance, given that the executive often disregards the outcomes of parliamentary proceedings.
He also highlighted the failure of the judiciary to resolve issues brought before it promptly, suggesting that the current system undermines the effectiveness of parliamentary actions and exacerbates the constitutional challenges facing the country.
“When Parliament didn’t sit for a few days, the Chief Justice called it a constitutional crisis. She’s leading a panel of judges to expedite the case brought to the apex court by the aggrieved NPP side in Parliament”.
Manasseh Azure Awuni
Awuni pointed out that when Parliament passed a bill in February, and the President refused to receive it for signing into law, the case was brought before the Supreme Court.
However, he emphasized that the court has taken an unusually long time to settle the matter.
He further noted that proponents of the law, frustrated by the delay, recently staged a protest calling for the case to be heard and resolved promptly.
In contrast, Awuni observed that the same Supreme Court has acted with remarkable speed in the NPP’s parliamentary case, underscoring what he sees as an inconsistency in the court’s approach to handling different matters.
This, he argued, highlights a concerning disparity in the judicial process, where some cases are expedited while others experience significant delays.
Awuni Decries Lack of MP for SALL Ahead of Elections
Furthermore, Manasseh Azure Awuni voiced his deep frustration over the situation, highlighting that with only two months remaining before the upcoming elections, it is entirely unacceptable for any constituency to be without an elected MP.
He emphasized that while this should be a matter of national concern, Ghana seems to have turned a blind eye to the fact that the people of SALL have been without parliamentary representation for the past four years.
Awuni criticized the ongoing court case regarding the issue, describing it as moving at the pace of a “wounded snail,” implying that the legal process is sluggish and failing to deliver timely justice for the constituents.
This prolonged absence of representation, Awuni argued, reflects poorly on the country’s commitment to democracy and fair governance.
“The average Ghanaian with some modicum of honesty in their blood would agree that if SALL had been an NPP stronghold, it would not have gone four years without an MP.
“The Electoral Commission would have completed all legal processes to pave the way for an election there”.
Manasseh Azure Awuni
Accordingly, Awuni expressed the view that the current justice system is in even worse shape than the ongoing constitutional crisis in Parliament.
He pointed out that while many have been quick to criticize the Speaker of Parliament, there should be equal, if not greater, concern about the state of Ghana’s judiciary.
Awuni emphasized that the judiciary, along with other institutions that are supposed to function independently, is not fulfilling its role effectively, which undermines the democratic principles the country strives to uphold.
He stressed that the conduct of these institutions if left unchecked, could have serious repercussions for the rule of law and the overall functioning of the state.
Manasseh Azure Awuni’s comments come in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling that the Speaker’s pronouncement on the vacant seats in Parliament was “unconstitutional.”
At the same time, trust in the judiciary and the courts in Ghana has plummeted to an all-time low, dropping by 30%.
This decline has led several political analysts to question the effectiveness of the judicial branch, which has, unfortunately, faced accusations from many of being closely aligned with the ruling NPP.
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