First Deputy Majority Whip of Parliament, Alhaji Habib Iddrisu has emphasized the Supreme Court's ultimate authority in interpreting Ghana's constitution, highlighting the judiciary's role in preserving the balance of power within the nation's government.
His comments followed the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Speaker Alban Bagbin's declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant, a move that had stirred considerable debate. "The power to interpret the constitution rests solely with the Supreme Court, not the Speaker of Parliament," Iddrisu stated firmly to Umaru Sanda of Citi FM.
His remarks were a response to the court's recent ruling in favour of Alexander Afenyo-Markin, which contradicted Speaker Bagbin's stance on MPs running as independent candidates.
The ruling clarified that declaring the seats vacant exceeded the Speaker's constitutional authority and reaffirmed that only the court could interpret the implications of such a move.