Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, a respected figure in Ghanaian politics and former Majority Leader, has thrown his full support behind Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the current Majority Leader, for his decision to take parliamentary matters to the Supreme Court. This move by Afenyo-Markin has stirred debate within political circles, as some have questioned whether it was the right step. However, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is standing firm in his belief that this was a necessary action to get clarity on important legal issues.
According to a report by MyNewsGH, during an interview on Sompa FM, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu emphasized the role of the Supreme Court as the final authority when it comes to legal interpretations in the country. “The Supreme Court is the ultimate authority when it comes to interpreting the law,” he said, stressing that it’s essential to seek guidance from the courts, especially when faced with complex legislative situations.
One of the key reasons Afenyo-Markin took the matter to court is due to some recent decisions made by the Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Kingsford Alban Bagbin, which, according to Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, have caused disruptions in parliamentary proceedings. He pointed out that certain actions of the Speaker have made it harder for the majority to function effectively in Parliament, and this has led to the need for judicial clarification.
“The decisions made by the Speaker have adversely affected our work, and it is crucial that we seek clarification from the Supreme Court,” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu remarked. For him, the involvement of the Supreme Court was not just about the separation of powers but about ensuring that justice is served when there are concerns about how Parliament is being run.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also took the opportunity to criticize those who are against the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for seeking help from the judiciary. He argued that the principle of separation of powers should not be used as an excuse to avoid taking necessary legal steps.
“We cannot let fears about the separation of powers deter us from seeking justice. If we feel the Speaker is overstepping his authority, we must take action,” he explained, defending the leadership’s decision to go to court.
Reflecting on past events, the former Majority Leader suggested that there has been a pattern of behavior from the Speaker that often undermines the position of the majority in Parliament. “This is not just about today; it’s a pattern we have observed. The Speaker’s decisions have consistently favored certain agendas, which have led to frustrations among the majority,” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noted. This frustration, he suggested, has been building up over time and has now reached a point where legal intervention is necessary.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu emphasized that the balance of power must be maintained in Ghana’s political system, and nobody, not even the Speaker, should operate beyond the law. He said, “It’s our duty to uphold the law and ensure that no one, not even the Speaker, operates above it. Seeking the Supreme Court’s guidance is not only appropriate but essential for the health of our democracy.”