Dr. Rasheed Draman, Executive Director of the African Center for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), has called for unity between Ghana’s political parties, urging the Minority and Majority caucuses to work together in Parliament following the Supreme Court’s ruling on Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of vacant seats.
While acknowledging the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus’s concerns about the verdict, Dr. Draman emphasized the importance of putting national interests first to ensure a smooth conclusion of the 8th Parliament.
He encouraged lawmakers to move past the recent tensions and collaborate to uphold Ghana’s democratic principles.
“We only have a few weeks left before Ghanaians decide on the leadership and the future composition of Parliament. I hope we can put past issues behind us, unite, and continue our work for the benefit of the country,” Dr. Draman said on “Ghana Tonight.”
The Supreme Court’s ruling, which invalidated the Speaker’s decision to declare four seats vacant, has sparked mixed reactions. Following the decision, the NDC MPs are expected to revert to their Minority status, allowing Parliament to reconvene.
However, NDC MP Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye voiced his disagreement, stating that many of his colleagues have resolved not to respond to any recall to the House, expressing dissatisfaction with the ruling.
This response highlights ongoing concerns within the NDC about the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision.
With elections approaching, Dr. Draman and other political observers hope that both sides of Parliament will prioritize the country’s stability and ensure continuity in governance.
