National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia has issued a stern warning to the party’s Members of Parliament, urging them to boycott any emergency parliamentary sitting.
“I am telling NDC MPs: if NPP recalls Parliament, don’t attend, even if they threaten drastic measures. There’s no genuine emergency”.
This directive comes in response to recent political tensions and judicial rulings affecting the balance of power in Ghana’s legislature.
Nketia challenged Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s authority, stating, “If the Chief Justice believes she has the power to interpret laws, let her attempt to occupy the Speaker’s chair in Parliament to lead Parliment to enact laws and let’s see. I’m saying it will never happen. Parliament is Parliament; nobody has the right to tarnish its image”, he emphasized.
He emphasized the NDC’s commitment to upholding parliamentary procedures and democratic principles.
“Democracy can’t thrive without parliament. In any country that embraces democracy, protecting parliament is crucial. Weakening parliament means democracy has failed. We’ll fiercely defend parliament and democracy with every fiber of our being. We won’t stand idly by while one person undermines democracy not today, not tomorrow.”
The NDC chairman accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of attempting to advance a harmful agenda in the final months before the upcoming elections. “We won’t tolerate any last-minute maneuvers that could undermine our democracy,” Nketia declared.
Addressing concerns about potential government instability at Asaasetre in the Ellembelle Constituency, Asiedu Nketia reassured the public that a boycott would not destabilize the country. Instead, he argued it would strengthen democratic institutions and foster progress.
He said “The recent events in parliament raise questions. Judges claim there’s work to be done and some warn that the gov’t might collapse if parliamentarians depart. However, I urge NDC MPs to stand firm: if an emergency recall is initiated, boycott it. This won’t destabilize the country; rather, it will fortify democracy and foster progress”.
Nketia also criticized recent judicial interventions in parliamentary affairs, questioning the Supreme Court’s role in interpreting parliamentary procedures.
He urged NDC MPs to rely on established parliamentary laws when making decisions.
The chairman called on Ghanaians to support the NDC in the upcoming elections, emphasizing the party’s commitment to protecting democratic values and the integrity of Parliament.
“Ghanaians will head to the polls to exercise their right to vote. After the election, Ghanaians will demonstrate its commitment to democracy. Let’s cast our ballots for our parliamentary leaders and support the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in securing more seats to uphold democratic values”.
Nketia concluded by referencing the constitution-writing process, asserting that those who drafted it understand its true intent better than those who merely interpret it.
“When we were preparing to write the constitution, lawyers from the Ghana Bar Association and others claimed they couldn’t collaborate with meat butchers and hairdressers to draft it. Yet, today, the butchers and hairdressers have the constitution at their fingertips, but those who said they can’t collaborate with hairdressers and butchers keeps it under their pillow. If we, the ones who wrote it, don’t understand it, how can you understand? We won’t allow anyone to hide behind interpretations of the constitution”.
Asiedu Nketia warned against misinterpretations that could distort the fundamental principles of Ghana’s democracy.
He remarked “Are they the ones who have gone to school? We have made laws that define a man as a man and a female as a female. You’re telling me that you have the power to interpret the laws, so we should accept a female as a male?”
Source : www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
