Supreme Court to Announce Decision on Parliamentary Vacant Seats on November 12.

ACCRA: The Supreme Court has scheduled Tuesday, November 12, to announce its verdict regarding the four vacant seats in Parliament. This decision is tied to Article 97 clause 1 (g) and (h) of Ghana's constitution. The seven-member panel, led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, reached this conclusion after hearing arguments from various legal representatives involved in the case.According to Ghana News Agency, the legal proceedings saw Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and Mr. Joe Ghartey, a former Attorney General and lawyer for the plaintiff Mr. Afenyo Markin, present their arguments to the court. Mr. Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, and his lawyer, Mr. Thaddues Sory, were notably absent during the hearing. Mr. Dame expressed his dissatisfaction with Mr. Sory's absence and urged the court to consider it.The Attorney General emphasized that any changes to Parliament's composition must strictly adhere to the Constitution, arguing that neither individuals nor i nstitutions have the authority to modify it. He pointed out that Chapter 10 of the Constitution specifies a single four-year term for elected members of Parliament. Mr. Dame stressed that Parliament's tenure should not exceed this term.Mr. Dame further argued that a past ruling by former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Ocquaye, concerning Andrews Amoako Asiamah, then MP for Fomena, was incorrect and should not set a precedent. He stated, "No matter the number of times an unconstitutional act is repeated, it does not make it right."The case was previously adjourned to allow Mr. Sory to consult with the Speaker for further instructions and to file his statement of case. The plaintiff, Afenyo Markin, sought the Supreme Court's interpretation of Article 97 (1) (g) and (h) following the Speaker's decision to declare four seats vacant due to cross carpeting. Markin filed an ex-parte application at the Apex Court to overturn the Speaker's declaration. The vacant seats in question were held by Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadwo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).