Randy Abbey Seeks Clarification On Article 60 (11) of The 1992 Constitution

With regards to the swearing-in of the Speaker of Parliament, His Lordship Edward Doe Adjaho, as the acting President during the absence of President John Dramani Mahama and his vice, in accordance with the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the media has played its role effectively by highlighting the topic for discussion. Article 60 (11) of the 1992 Constitution states that, (11) Where the President and the Vice-President are both unable to perform the functions of the President, the Speaker of Parliament shall perform those functions until the President or the Vice-President is able to perform those functions or a new President assumes office, as the case may be. Though this has been the norm since the inception of the Fourth Republican constitution, events of the last few days have again sparked the debate, as to whether it is prudent to swear-in the Vice-President, the Speaker of Parliament or the Chief Justice as an acting President? There is a school of thought that holds the view that this could be a recipe for disaster because of the fact that anyone sworn-in as acting President has the full powers of the President and could therefore misuse it in the President�s absence. But a Journalist and Football Administrator, Randy Abbey has stated his intention to go beyond setting the agenda by seeking an interpretation to Article 59(11) in the Supreme Court. Mr. Abbey made this disclosure while hosting �Good Morning Ghana� a current affairs program on Metro TV, on Friday. He instructed his lawyer on live television: �Egbert Faible I have got a job for you. I want you to proceed to the Supreme Court on my behalf. I want them to bring clarity to this issue�. Randy Abbey further opined that he does not see the need for an acting President whiles President Mahama is out of the country, on official duties.