The Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, K.T. Hammond, has sharply criticized Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin for allegedly disregarding a Supreme Court ruling concerning the seating arrangement in Parliament.
His remarks came after Bagbin adjourned the parliamentary session indefinitely due to the absence of New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs, despite their initial request for the recall of the House.
Hammond’s criticism centers around the Speaker’s failure to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling, which clarified the seating positions of Members of Parliament following a legal dispute.
The Court had ruled that MPs, including those who were previously declared to have vacated their seats after seeking independent candidacies, were temporarily reinstated, thus defining the correct seating arrangement in Parliament.
The NPP had previously raised concerns about the minority’s seating, arguing that NDC MPs had been occupying the Majority side, which violated the norms of parliamentary procedures.
Hammond accused Speaker Bagbin of disrespecting the ruling by allowing NDC MPs to continue occupying the Majority side, despite the Court’s clear directive that the positions should reflect the updated parliamentary membership.
In his comments, Hammond stressed the importance of adhering to the Constitution and respecting the authority of the Supreme Court. He stated, “The decision of the Supreme Court is not negotiable. It’s not about acknowledgment, but implementation.
The Speaker is required to respect the ruling, not to oppose or defy it, especially when it involves upholding the integrity of parliamentary law.”
Hammond also pointed out that the Supreme Court’s decision was made in the context of constitutional provisions that require MPs seeking to run as independent candidates to vacate their seats, a ruling that had significant implications for the composition of Parliament.
This issue has caused tensions between the two main political parties, with the NPP accusing the Speaker of partisan bias and undermining the authority of the Court.
Bagbin’s handling of the situation has led to several adjournments, raising questions about the Speaker’s commitment to resolving the impasse in line with the Constitution.
Hammond has called on Bagbin to act in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive and bring Parliament back to order rather than continuously delaying proceedings.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in October 2024, which temporarily reinstated certain MPs and outlined the rules for seating, had come after a motion by Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, which led to the declaration of four contested seats as vacant.
The ruling was intended to ensure compliance with constitutional laws governing parliamentary membership and seating, including provisions around independent candidacies.
