Renowned Political Science professor at the University of Ghana Department of Political Science, Professor Ransford Yaw Gyampo says the Speaker of Parliament Mike Aaron Ocquaye has not legal right to declare vacant the Formena seat.
Few days ago, the Speaker of Parliament declared Fomena constituency seat vacant following a petition served him by the leadership of the ruling NPP after the incumbent Member of Parliament for Fomena constituency, Hon. Andrew Amoako Asamoah decided to contest in the upcoming general elections as an independent candidate, a move the NPP frowns on.
However, in reaction to this, Professor Gyampo stated in a Facebook post sighted by GhanaVanguard.com that the Speaker of Parliament who is “partisan” has no rights to declare a parliamentary seat vacant.
According to him, it is only a High Court that can determine whether a seat should be declared vacant or not.
Professor Gyampo further cited article 99(1a) of the Ghanaian constitution as a reference point to his claims.
“Whether a Parliamentary Seat has been vacated or not, can ONLY be Determined by a HIGH COURT, not a Partisan Speaker of Parliament,” part of Prof Gyampo’s comment reads.
“My mentor may want to read Article 99(1a) of our Constitution…,” he added.
Meanwhile, another renowned academic and legal luminary, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare has also condemned the action of the Speaker of the house; saying it is illegal for him to declare a parliamentary seat vacant.
