Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Africa has emphasized that the sovereignty of Ghana rests in the people, not Parliament.
Bentil’s comments come amid heightened political tensions and legal battles following Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four parliamentary seats vacant for switching political allegiance.
Bentil, in a series of Facebook posts on October 30 and 31, referenced Article 1, clause 1 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution to argue that Ghana’s democracy differs from that of the United Kingdom, where Parliament holds supreme authority.
“Article 1 clause 1 of the 1992 Constitution shows where Sovereignty lies. It is in the People. Not Parliament,” Bentil wrote. “In the UK, Parliament is Sovereign. There’s a difference! Don’t believe anyone who tells you Ghana’s Parliament is Sovereign.”
Furthering his stance on the rule of law, Bentil stressed that adherence to court rulings is essential in a democratic society, regardless of individual disagreements with judicial outcomes.
“Even if you disagree with a court, you are bound by their ruling!! That is called Rule of Law!! No one may depart from this!!” he remarked.