The former women’s organiser aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ellen Ama Daaku has rejected the idea of equality between the President and the Speaker of Parliament with regards to their power and authority.
During her appearance on TV3, Ellen Ama Daaku highlighted the constitutional distinction between the roles of the President and the Speaker of Parliament.
She underscored that according to the constitution, the President holds the position of the first gentleman of the land, emphasizing that the President, Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, and Chief Justice collectively hold precedence over all other individuals in Ghana.
“The constitution says the president is the first gentleman of the land. The President and the Speaker of Parliament are not the same. The President comes first, followed by the Vice President, and then the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice, these four shall take precedence over all other persons in Ghana so they are not the same.
Madam Daaku expressed concern over attempts by some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), including Prof. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, to equate the authority of the President and the Speaker of Parliament, emphasizing that they are not equivalent positions under the constitutional framework.
“You see what this thing that the NDC is trying to say not just from Prof. Grace Ayensu-Danquah from all of them that the president and the Speaker of parliament are the same, they are not the same,” she added.
Speaker Bagbin had previously claimed to hold the second most powerful position in the country, surpassing the Vice President.
He recounted an interaction with Supreme Court judges who affirmed his ranking above the Vice President, indicating that he occupies a higher position in the country’s hierarchy than previously assumed.
Bagbin’s remarks, delivered amidst laughter from Members of Parliament, emphasized the equality of the three arms of government – executive, legislative, and judicial.
He underscored the need for parity in resource allocation, highlighting the historical neglect of Parliament and the judiciary in budget allocations since 1993.
Addressing the gathered MPs, Bagbin stressed the significance of elevating parliamentary and judicial funding to at least 5% of total revenue within four years.
He revealed his discussions with both Majority and Minority leaders regarding this matter and expressed shock at the minimal allocation these branches have historically received.
“When you start from His Excellency the President, you have to go to the Vice before you come to the Speaker and then you go to the Chief Justice. But there are three arms of government,” he said, attracting spontaneous laughter from the MPs.
“My colleagues in the Supreme Court actually told me that you are not Number 3, you are Number 2. All those who were present at that meeting were convinced when the Supreme Court judge made the submission and justified it.”
Mr. Bagbin said “it is not me saying it. I have said I am Number 3 and they said I am not, I am Number 2,” he added.
The President and the Speaker of Parliament are not the same. The President comes first, followed by the Vice President, and then the Speaker of Parliament – Ellen Ama Daaku to Prof. Grace Ayensu-Danquah#TV3NewDay pic.twitter.com/rCPhyyURJ5
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) March 21, 2024
Warped thinking and statement. Who is talking of power equality here?