Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, has accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of deliberately bypassing the constitutional mandate that grants the Speaker of Parliament the authority to act as president in the absence of both the president and vice president.
During an interview on Accra-based Okay FM on Friday, February 9, 2024, Mr. Ibrahim claimed that President Akufo-Addo has deliberately withheld this privilege from Speaker Alban Bagbin due to a purported lack of shared vision between them. He alleged that previous speakers, including Oquaye, Ala Adjetey, Madam Bamford Addo, Joe Adjaho, D. F. Annan, and Begyina Sekyi-Hughes, were all allowed to assume the position of acting president in accordance with the Constitution.
Mr. Ibrahim highlighted instances where even the Chief Justice was sworn in as acting president when the president, vice president, and speaker were absent on official duties outside the country. However, he asserted that the current government has intentionally prevented Speaker Bagbin from exercising this constitutional right.
The Deputy Minority Chief Whip further contrasted the treatment of Speaker Bagbin with that of Vice President Bawumia, implying that the latter has been afforded this opportunity due to his alignment with the president’s vision. He questioned Dr. Bawumia’s actions and responsibilities during Cabinet meetings when he served as Acting President, suggesting that he must have made decisions during those sessions.
“Dr. Bawumia cannot pretend not to have made any decision as acting president,” Mr. Ibrahim stated during the interview.
These allegations come amidst growing tensions between the government and the opposition, with the role of the Speaker of Parliament being a focal point of contention. As the political landscape continues to evolve in the run-up to the 2024 elections, Mr. Ibrahim’s accusations shed light on the complex dynamics at play within Ghana’s political sphere.