Source: newsthemegh.com
The Supreme Court will rule on the nominations of new ministers and the reorganization of existing ministries by President Akufo-Addo in response to an injunction petitioned by South Dayi Member of Parliament Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor.
In his lawsuit against the Speaker of Parliament (the first defendant) and the Attorney General (the second defendant), the NDC legislator claims that the President ought to have consulted Parliament before appointing new ministers in light of the revocation of some of their appointments.
On February 14, 2024, President Akufo-Addo announced a reshuffle in which six ministers were reallocated into different ministries while 13 ministers and ten deputy ministers were removed of their positions.
The case will be heard by the Supreme Court today, March 27.
The following are the reliefs that the South Dayi MP is seeking:
“a declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Articles 78(1) and 81 (a) of the 1992 Constitution, once a Minister of State or Deputy Minister of State has had his appointment revoked, terminated or relieved of that portfolio by the President, that Minister of State or Deputy Minister of State must be subject to the requirement of prior Parliamentary approval before that Minister of State or Deputy Minister of State is re-appointed as a Minister or Deputy-Minister of State.
“a declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Articles 78(1) and 81(a) of the 1992 Constitution, the Ministers of State and the Deputy Minister of State whose appointments were revoked on the 14th of February, 2024 cannot be re-assigned or re-appointed to other Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial offices without prior approval of Parliament”.
“a declaration that under Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution, a Minister of State shall be appointed by the President with the prior approval of Parliament” and second, “a declaration that under Article 81(a) of the 1992 Constitution, the office of a Minister of State or a Deputy Minister shall become vacant if his appointment is revoked, terminated or relieved of that portfolio by the President.
“a declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Articles 78(1) and 81 (a) of the 1992 Constitution, a Minister of State or Deputy Minister of State who has had his appointment revoked, terminated or relieved of portfolio by the President, cannot be re-assigned to another Ministerial or Deputy Ministerial office without prior approval of Parliament”.