Charles Owusu, the head of the Forestry Commission’s Monitoring Unit, has called for a ceasefire in the wake of a Supreme Court decision that recognizes the Deputy Speaker’s function as a Member of Parliament when presiding over House proceedings in the absence of the Speaker.
The Supreme Court unanimously declared on Wednesday that a “Deputy Speaker is entitled to be counted as a member of Parliament for quorum purposes” and can “vote and participate in Parliament’s decision.”
The Minority in Parliament and certain members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have, nevertheless, expressed strong disagreement with the ruling.
According to former President John Mahama, the Supreme Court has set a “dangerous precedent of judiciary meddling in Parliamentary proceedings for the future” with this decision.
On Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo,” Charles Owusu addressed the criticisms leveled against the verdict.
According to him, the Supreme Court Judges have efficiently performed their duties as Justices hearing the case, thus he is perplexed as to why there is so much fuss over the decision.
“Are they (Judges) not there because of the statute we’re talking about?” he questioned, interrogating the opponents. Their job entails enforcing the law. What exactly does a Supreme Court Judge do besides pronounce the law?”.
“Does Joe Osei Owusu forfeit his membership as an MP when he functions as Speaker?” Charles Owusu continued. So, what exactly is this? How can someone become a Deputy Speaker if he does not become a Member of Parliament? First and foremost, how can you be a Deputy Speaker if you are not a Member of Parliament until the law is changed? So, how does he lose his Member of Parliament status?”
According to him, the opposition is treating Supreme Court Judges like “Sunday school teachers,” warning them to stop.
Listen to him in the video below:
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Source: DailyNewsGhana.com/2022.
