Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, reaffirmed that sovereignty in Ghana rests solely with the people under Article 1 of the Constitution, and no institution or individual holds supreme authority.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for the new President and executives of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) on November 4, Dame emphasized the Constitution’s role as the nation’s supreme law, which grants the Judiciary final judicial authority.
Dame noted that this supreme law mandates all institutions and individuals, including the President, to adhere to the Judiciary’s interpretations and applications of Ghana’s laws. “Every individual or institution, including the person who takes precedence over all in this country—the President—is subject to the court’s powers to interpret and apply the laws of Ghana without question,” he stated.
He added that compliance with constitutional procedures is essential, stressing that any actions taken by institutions must align with Ghana’s legal framework or risk being declared unconstitutional by the courts. Dame urged legal practitioners to support the Judiciary, underscoring its role in maintaining Ghana’s democratic foundation.
His remarks follow the recent Supreme Court dismissal of an application by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, who sought to overturn a ruling that restricted his power to declare parliamentary seats vacant. This decision highlights ongoing legal debates regarding the Speaker’s authority and the Judiciary’s role in parliamentary matters.
