The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Osei Kyei Osei Mensah Bonsu, has raised concerns over a possible constitutional crisis if the country fails to combat the COVID-19 pandemic before the December elections.
Speaking in an interview on the 'Frontline' on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he argued that the nation’s 1992 constitution does not provide clarity on who should take over the management of the state if the sitting President’s tenure expires in unforeseen circumstances.
The outbreak of the coronavirus has led to debates over what should be done in the event that Ghana is unable to go to the polls.
Commenting on the challenge confronting the nation, the MP for Suame constituency said it would be prudent for Ghana’s Electoral Commission to put in the required measures towards the conduct of the election.
President Akufo-Addo he disclosed does not want to go even one day beyond the constitutional mandate that he has to administer the affairs of this country.
The experienced parliamentarian emphasised the need for stakeholders to identify the lapses in the constitution and put drastic measures to address them.
Commenting on the one on parliamentarians, he said in case of any emergence, provision is made and expressed under the constitution on how the life of Parliament is extended by one year in any event not more than four years.
He further argued that although the constitution provides that when the Speaker acts as President within three months, there should be the conduct of an election to elect a President, the provision is conflicting and calls for a resolution.
Source: rainbowradio.com
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Say NO to election 2020, human life is more precious than elections. If over 550 out of 1,300 people have contacted the disease from one factory, imagine what is going to happen when political parties start with their rented rallies where they bus people from towns and villages to one venue. #Supreme Court SAVE innocent Ghanaians now#
WHEN WE ELECT A PRESIDENT AND HE BECOMES NOT AVAILABLE THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES THAT THE VICE PRESIDENT, THEN THE SPEAKER, AND TO THE EXTREME THE CHIEF JUSTICE TAKES OVER. NOW IF THE PRESIDENT IS AVAILABLE AT THE EXPIRATION OF HIS TERM BUT CIRCUMSTANCE DID NOT ALLOW ELECTIONS TO DETERMINE HIS SUCCESSION COMMON SENSE REQUIRES THAT HE CONTINUES UNTIL THE ELECTIONS BECOMES AVAILABLE. WE APPLY THIS COMMON SENSE ALL THE TIME IN OUR HOMES, CLASSROOMS, IN THE CHURCH, IN OUR SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS WITHOUT QUALMS. SO WE SHOULD APPLY THE SAME COMMON SENSE WHEN THE STATE FACES SIMILAR CHALLENGES. SINCE, HOWEVER, THE APPLICATION OF COMMON SENSE IS NOT COMMON TO EVERYBODY, AND FOR THE FEAR THAT AN OVERAMBITIOUS PRESIDENT MIGHT ABUSE THE APPLICATION OF COMMON SENSE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSTITUTE A CONSTITUTIONAL BODY TO DETERMINE THE PERIMETERS OF SUCH APPLICATION OF COMMON SENSE IMMEDIATELY.