News:
February 16, 2016
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has indicated that President John Mahama’s decision to ignore the Legislature prior to accepting the two ex gitmo detainees in Ghana could lead to his impeachment.
The group maintains that government’s failure to inform Parliament and also seek its approval for the country’s agreement with the US Government over the two, is an affront to the Constitution.
They contend that the President could therefore be removed from office for flouting Article 75(2) of the Constitution which demands for Parliamentary ratification in all treaties, agreements or conventions the country enters into with another country or a recognized institution.
Article 75(2) states that “A treaty, agreement or convention executed by or under the Authority of the President shall be subject to ratification by (a) Act of Parliament; or (b) a resolution of Parliament supported by the votes of more than one-half of all the Members of Parliament.
Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Samuel Ata Akyea who dropped the hint, Tuesday, said the President’s action over the Gitmo detainees is a serious matter and should not be taken kindly.
“When we say bring the agreement to Parliament, the inference of the framers of the Constitution is that every issue concerning the agreement should be stated and see whether it is rejected or not”.
“As we speak today, the President can be impeached because of this issue. It is not a joke. If you look at Article 75(2) and if the President wouldn’t want to do what is right this can be a subject matter of impeachment”, he noted.