Abraham Koomson, Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), has issued a stern warning that military rule is not the solution for Ghana’s challenges.
However, he fears that the current political situation is inadvertently creating an opening for the military to seize control.
Reflecting on his past experience under military governance in Ghana, Mr. Koomson expressed deep concern.
“It terrifies me,” he said, “because if we don’t put our house in order, we might find ourselves under a military regime again, and that thought alone is frightening.”
He specifically raised alarms about the recent decision by the Supreme Court, suggesting it could contribute to political instability, possibly leading the country down a dangerous path.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Yepe Ahunu with host Nana Dogbe, Abraham Koomson questioned the speed and urgency with which the Supreme Court ruled on an ex parte motion filed by members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Parliament.
On Friday, October 19, 2024, the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on a ruling by Speaker Alban Bagbin, who had declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
The swift ruling halted the Speaker’s decision, allowing the affected MPs to retain their seats until the case is fully resolved.
Mr. Koomson criticized this haste, arguing that the Court should have taken more time to deliberate.
“The impression I get, and what my colleagues in the legal fraternity are saying, is that Ghana could be heading towards a very dangerous place. Why was there such a rush to overturn the Speaker’s ruling on these four seats?” he asked, clearly troubled.
He further noted that while no one wishes for military intervention, the actions of the country’s institutions seem to be paving the way for it.
“Nobody wants the military to take over, but when we look at what’s happening, it seems we are giving them an opportunity. That’s what scares me,” Mr. Koomson lamented.
He expressed concerns about the potential consequences of the Supreme Court’s ruling, particularly its impact on the relationship between Parliament and the judiciary.
“The Speaker of Parliament will not take this ruling lightly, and it raises a serious question—where do we go from here?”
Alban Bagbin, declared four seats in Parliament vacant.
However, the Supreme Court, presided over by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, issued a stay of execution, allowing the four MPs to continue their parliamentary duties while the final ruling is awaited.
The Court’s panel also included Justices Mariama Owusu, Kwame Adibu Asiedu, Ernest Yao Gaewu, and Yaw Darko Asare, all of whom concurred in the decision.
Representing the NPP in the case were lawyers Paa Kwesi Abaidoo and former Attorney General Joe Ghartey.
They argued that the enforcement of the Speaker’s ruling would have serious implications for parliamentary representation and political balance.
The stay was granted to temporarily halt the Speaker’s decision until further legal proceedings.
The four MPs affected by the Speaker’s ruling include three from the NPP: Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), and Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), who is an independent MP aligned with the Majority.
The fourth is Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central) from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaker Bagbin’s initial ruling had shifted the balance of power in Parliament, giving the NDC a majority with 136 seats, while the NPP fell to 135.
However, the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the Speaker’s ruling temporarily restores the original balance until the case is fully resolved.
As the nation awaits the final outcome of the legal battle, Koomson’s warning stands as a somber reminder of the fragile state of Ghana’s democracy.
He emphasized the need for caution, urging the country’s leaders and institutions to prioritize stability and avoid actions that could lead to greater political turmoil.
LISTEN TO ABRAHAM KOOMSON IN THIS AUDIO BELOW:
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites) / Ahotoronline.com / Ghana
