The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has dismissed a motion filed by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin, seeking to suspend the vetting of Chief Justice nominee Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie.
According to the Speaker, there is no constitutional or procedural basis to delay the vetting process, stressing that Parliament must continue to perform its duties as mandated under Article 144(1) of the Constitution. The Speaker described the motion as inadmissible and returned it to the Minority Leader, noting that the House cannot halt its proceedings because of ongoing cases before the Supreme Court.
Speaker Bagbin explained that the Supreme Court has the power to reverse or address any unconstitutional act if necessary, but Parliament’s constitutional duty to vet nominees must continue. He added that pausing the vetting would amount to undermining the independence and efficiency of the legislative arm of government.
He said Parliament’s work should not depend on judicial timelines or pending litigation, warning that such a precedent could paralyze governance. “If we accept that argument, it would mean any litigant could hold Parliament hostage and freeze its activities,” he stated.
The Speaker emphasized that while the courts can hear any matters before them, Parliament’s authority remains intact unless there is a formal injunction. He reminded members that judicial independence should not translate into legislative inactivity.
The Minority Leader had argued that Parliament should stay its hand until cases involving the current Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, were resolved. However, the Speaker maintained that the constitutional process for vetting the President’s nominee must proceed without interference.
The development highlights a growing debate over the balance of power among Ghana’s three arms of government and reaffirms Parliament’s autonomy in fulfilling its constitutional role.
