Accra: The New Patriotic Party Minority Caucus in Parliament has condemned the simultaneous absence of President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Madam Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Bagbin from the country, citing a blatant violation of the 1992 Constitution.
According to Ghana News Agency, a statement signed by Mr John Darko, the Legal Counsel of the Minority Caucus in Parliament, highlighted that the situation contravened Article 60 of the Constitution. This article mandates that the Speaker of Parliament be sworn-in as Acting President when both the President and Vice President are unavailable.
The statement further noted that, in this instance, the Speaker was also outside the country, and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo is currently under suspension. The Minority Caucus described the situation as a 'deliberate and calculated' act, accusing the government of treating the Constitution as 'an inconvenience rather than a binding framework.'
The statement warned that such constitutional infractions posed a serious threat to Ghana's democratic foundation and governance. It emphasized the necessity to hold the President and his Vice accountable to their oath of office, which demands fidelity to the Constitution.
Mr Darko, who is also the NPP MP for Suame, stated that where necessary, the Caucus would invoke the relevant provisions of law to ensure that constitutional breaches do not go unpunished.
