Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has refuted claims that the Supreme Court is the final arbiter when it comes to issues bordering on the laws of the country.
The Supreme Court has been challenged by some notable people in Parliament and the soceity following its verdict that a Deputy Speaker of Parliament is a Member of Parliament and can actively take part in decision-making in the House.
The court specifically said a "Deputy Speaker is entitled to be counted as a Member of Parliament for quorum" and can "vote and take part in the decision of Parliament".
Some critics have agreed to the court ruling while others also share dissenting views.
Critics like former President John Mahama, Ningo-Prampram MP, Sam George and Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu among others, who object to the court decision, describe the verdict as ''shocking'', ''despicable'', ''sham'' and a support for the e-levy proposal by the current administration.
With critics like President Nana Akufo-Addo, STC Boss Nana Akomea and others, who agree to the verdict, the Supreme Court has finally settled the dispute and their ruling holds.
However, they direct the opposition to seek review of the verdict from the Apex Court.
President Akufo-Addo, declaring his position, said "the legislative power of Parliament [that is vested] that is of the State which is vested in Parliament is subject to the provisions of the constitution. All organs of the Ghanaian State including me as the Head of Executive, we are all subject to the teachings of the constitution. There is nobody in the Ghanaian State that is above the fundamental law of the land".
He added that, ''if they are denied the right to vote, [it will mean] it is tantamount to denying the right of the people you represent to have a say in the decision of the Assembly. That will not be right. So, I couldn't understand all this furore and controversy artificially generated".
Wading into the discussions on the Supreme Court ruling, Kwesi Pratt sought to disabuse the minds of Ghanaians regarding the seeming absolute authority vested in the Supreme Court to adjudicate cases.
He further accentuated that, ''the Supreme Court has never been or will never be the final authority on anything including the law. The Supreme Court exercises the power of the people. The Supreme Court acts in the name of the people. We have apportioned our sovereignty to the Supreme Court. So, ultimately, it is the people of Ghana who are the supreme-authority''.
Mr. Pratt also argued that the Supreme Court can be abolished by Ghanaians.
''The constitution itself, it has provisions for amendment. Am I lying? So, at any time, the people of Ghana can decide to amend the constitution. Indeed, the people of Ghana, they have a right to abolish the Supreme Court [yes] and set up something in its place. The Supreme Court, as currently constituted, is a constitutional creature; so, if you change the constitution, you can change the provisions on the establishment of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court will become a new creature.''
He strongly held that assertion that the ''Supreme Court is the final authority and so on, [it] is not true. It cannot be true at least at the level of theory because they are acting in our name''.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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Sometimes I find it very difficult to understand Uncle Kwesi Pratt's logic. If the SC is not the final arbiter name the parallel institute or organization you know. He is trying to create unnecessary tension. Maybe the courts in Kosmokaya are the final arbiter.
Opanyin Pratt the constitution has stated it clearly in black and white, that whenever things are not being done under the constitution, it is the Supreme Court that has to define it through the constitution, whether it is right in the constitution or out of order to the constitution, so please you better keep quiet because you’re ridiculing yourself.
Once again, Kwesi Pratt’s logic is very poor or he deliberately seeks to misinform the people in respect of the polarized partisan nature of politics in Ghana to discredit the NPP and uphold the NDC in a bid. Then, in one breath, Kwesi Pratt acknowledges that "the Supreme Court exercises the power of the people, and the Supreme Court acts in the name of the people." We have apportioned our sovereignty to the Supreme Court. So, ultimately, it is the people of Ghana who are the supreme authorities. But in another breath, Kwesi Pratt has a problem with the Supreme Court's seeking to protect the solemn right of the people of Bekwai to be fully represented by their MP in decision-making in parliament, despite performing other functions in parliament as a deputy speaker as per the procedures of Parliament. Mr. Kwesi Pratt appears to be cutting and pacing as it pleases him and his employer.
Uncle Kwesi, now that the people of Ghana you are talking about have vested the powers on the Supreme Court what they say in law is final. This problem of deputy speaker voting will be resolved indeed if Mr Bagbin will stop the politics and ask the bill for E-levy to be presented whiles is sitting as the speaker.
Say the truth and it will set you free. Anyone can condemn the Supreme Court in any terms but to say that it is not supreme when it comes to arbitrary of our laws is trying to tell the people of Ghana that he or she can say anything and get away with it especially those who should know better. People like Mr Pratt I understand is almost 70years who has been influential all this time should be mindful of the things he says.
Bruised brain; henceforth do not take him (kwesi prat) serious. Until such time as prat professes, the status quo presently the Supreme court is the highest and final of the land. Hate it or like you of lesser academic laurels can never twist the facts
Who are the people of Ghana? It’s just a rhetorical question. Influential people like Kwesi Pratt shouldn’t throw dust into our eyes. It is the people of Ghana who voted for this constitution for the Supreme Court to be the final arbiter of our laws.PERIODICALLY PERIOD. What kind of argument is this?
Ppl like Kwesi Pratt are very diabolical and dangerous to our society.He's over the years lost his sense of making cohesive analysis. What happens if he the MP doesn't vote and someone in his constituency take him to court. Why is NDC doing this to Ghana? Hmmm smh
This Kwesi Flatt man deaaa, why is the court called SUPREME in the first place. We vote for our MP's to represent us in parliament and to serve our interest by taking part in decisions in the house. For eg Joe Osei Owusu was voted for by the people of Bekwai to represent them in parliament first and foremost. Any other position given to any MP ie deputy speaker, majority or minority leader, chief whip etc is a plus but their constituents have no hand in that. Are you saying when a deputy speaker sits on the chair as the speaker his or her constituents ceases to have a representative in the house? Are you also saying when one of the deputy speakers is presiding the number of sests reduces from 275 to 274. If every MP decides to decline the position of a deputy speaker since that MP cannot be forced to accept the position, what happens? If i know if i accept a position my people will have no say in what happens in parliament since i can't vote, i will reject the position outright. The elders have a saying that ' it is not everything that is right to do that is wise to do' . We have laws but we also have wisdom. The Supreme Court judges don't rule in cases based on emotions, they also consider the national interest. Can we say presidential candidates and parliamentary candidates cannot vote on Election Day because they have an interest?
They do these to deceive NDC followers and lead them to slaughter!