Speaker Bagbin Rejects Supreme Court's Ruling on Declared Vacant Seats, Fueling Political Debate 

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has declined to acknowledge a writ from Ghana's Supreme Court concerning his recent declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant. This move has sparked significant political debate and highlighted a growing tension between Ghana’s legislative and judicial branches.

The controversy began on October 17, when Bagbin declared the seats of four MPs vacant after they opted to run as independents or under different political affiliations in the upcoming 2024 election. His decision temporarily shifted the balance of power within Parliament, placing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in a majority position. However, on October 18, the Supreme Court intervened, issuing a ruling that reversed Bagbin’s declaration, restoring the seats to the incumbents and reverting parliamentary balance.

Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Bagbin refused to accept the service of the court’s writ, an action that has intensified the ongoing debate. His stance underscores what some observers see as a dispute over the separation of powers, with Parliament asserting autonomy against perceived judicial encroachment. Supporters of Bagbin argue that the speaker’s role involves making decisions that protect the integrity of Parliament’s operations and representational principles. Critics, however, contend that disregarding a Supreme Court directive could set a concerning precedent, potentially undermining Ghana’s judicial authority and governance framework.