The Attorney-General has expressed concern over the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin’s assertion that the House cannot consider the nomination of the new ministers and deputies appointed by President Akufo-Addo due to an injunction at the Supreme Court.
In a letter dated March 21, 2024, the AG argued that the Speaker of Parliament should not be stopped by the injunction from carrying out the vetting of President Akufo- Addo’s nominees.
The Attorney General’s call comes in response to the suspension of consideration for Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State nominated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as announced by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, on Wednesday, March 20.
Bagbin’s decision was prompted by an interlocutory injunction filed at the Supreme Court by the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor.
According to Bagbin, this injunction rendered Parliament unable to sanction new ministers nominated by President Akufo-Addo during his February 14 ministerial reshuffle.
The suspension followed a directive from the presidency, restraining Parliament from transmitting the Bill on Human Sexual Rights and Family Values for President Akufo-Addo’s assent, citing an ongoing interlocutory application at the Supreme Court.
In an official response to Bagbin, Godfred Yeboah Dame emphasized that there was no risk of prejudice to the authority of the Supreme Court if Parliament continued with the approval processes for the nominee ministers and deputy ministers.
He highlighted the substance of Mr. Dafeamekpor’s suit stating that, the suit did not affect the approval of newly nominated ministers and deputy ministers.
Godfred Dame clarified that the essence of Dafeamekpor’s suit was a challenge to the President’s power to relieve ministers and reassign them to different ministries, which did not impact the approval process for new nominees as prescribed by the constitution.
Excerpts of the letter reads, “The substance of Mr Dafeamekpor’s suit is a challenge on the power of the President to relieve Ministers serving in his government of their portfolios and reassign them to different Ministries.”
“It has no bearing on the approval of persons newly nominated by the President as Ministers and Deputy Ministers and duly presented to Parliament for approval in accordance with articles 78(1) and 79 (1) of the constitution.”
