Reactions have been pouring in after Ghana’s Supreme Court reversed speaker of parliament ruling on the vacant seat saga. The Apex Court on Tuesday by a 5-2 majority decision overturned Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s ruling from October 17, which declared four parliamentary seats vacant. According to the court the speaker’s action was  unconstitutional.

Whereas the New Patriotic Party, NPP majority in parliament has welcomed it calling on the Speaker to abide by the court’s verdict, the opposition National Democratic Congress, NDC has criticized it.

In a 5-2 majority decision delivered on Tuesday November 12, Ghana’s Supreme Court ruled that the speaker of parliament’s declaration of four seats as vacant was unconstitutional, effectively restoring the ruling New Patriotic Party’s majority in the legislature ahead of the Dec. 7 election.

This decision effectively means that the four affected MPs have legally retained their seats. The MPs in question are Andrew Amoakoh Asiamah of Fomena in the Ashanti Region, Kojo Asante, NPP MP for Suhum in the Eastern Region, NPP’s Cynthia Morrison of Agona West constituency and the NDC’s Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah of Amenfi Central constituency in the Western Region.

Speaking to the media in parliament majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh argued the decision by two justices to discent means the apex court of the land is truly independent. The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP further urged the speaker and the minority to respect the verdict from the Supreme Court

The opposition NDC has however criticized the judgment by the Apex Court. Abraham Amaliba is a member of the NDC legal directorate.

Meanwhile the full reasoning behind the Supreme Court’s decision is expected to be released on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.