ACEPA Urges Akufo-Addo to Bring Bagbin and Torkornoo Together to Resolve Parliamentary Stalemate

The African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs has joined concerned citizens in calling for the immediate intervention of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to an ongoing parliamentary deadlock in Ghana. Speaking, its Executive Director Dr. Rasheed Draman has called for an immediate consultation between the President, Speaker Alban Bagbin, and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to resolve the impasse that has characterized the debate on which parliamentary caucus holds the majority.

The impasse is a result of this persistent claim by the Minority caucus to a majority, even as a Supreme Court ruling stayed the execution of Speaker Bagbin's decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant. This has created in Ghana's legislature a heightened state of tension that could have serious implications for democratic stability.

In an interview with Citi News, Dr. Draman described the situation as dire and thus it portends serious threats to Ghana's democratic order. According to him, the impasse would undermine the smooth operations of Parliament and set a very dangerous precedent that might lead to a breakdown of law and order when unresolved.

This situation can only descend into anarchy, and I do hope it will not escalate into a complete breakdown of democracy if nothing is done," Dr. Draman cautioned. He also expressed fear that such a situation could escalate into the army's interference in restoring order, something that would have wider implications for civilian governance.

In this respect, ACEPA calls for immediate high-level dialogue among the key leaders of the three arms of government in Ghana towards an amicable solution to save the country's democratic institutions and keep governance on track.