Parliamentary impasse: Ghana’s constitution needs a review – Mahama
John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed deep concerns over what he sees as a crisis within Ghana’s political landscape following the expulsion of four Members of Parliament by Speaker Alban Bagbin. Speaking at the 80th anniversary of the St. Joseph the Worker Anglican Church in Accra on October 27, Mahama highlighted the recent tensions in Parliament, which were exacerbated by the Supreme Court’s stay of Bagbin’s ruling. This led to an indefinite adjournment of Parliament on October 22.
Mahama praised Speaker Bagbin for his composed handling of the situation, emphasizing that, without his leadership, the country might have faced a significant constitutional crisis, potentially leading to a confrontation between the judiciary and Parliament. He urged for constitutional reforms to address and prevent similar conflicts in the future, advocating for a strengthened governance framework that can meet Ghana’s evolving needs.
“We witnessed a close call with a constitutional crisis in Parliament recently,” Mahama said. “But thanks to the Speaker’s maturity, we avoided a clash between the judiciary and Parliament. Our government is in crisis, and we need to reset. Our constitution must be revisited and revised to close the gaps, allowing us to better manage future issues.”
Mahama’s call for reform reflects growing discussions on the need to reassess Ghana’s governance structures to maintain stability and address emerging challenges in the nation’s democratic framework.