Attorney-General Reacts to Parliament’s Decision Not to Approve Ministerial Nominees Over Law Suit

The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Mr Godfred Yeboah-Dame says Parliament is not prevented from proceeding with the approval processes for the Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial nominees duly forwarded by the President in accordance with articles 78(1) and 79(1) of the Constitution.

In a statement the AG, said, the substance of the suit by MP for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor challenging the power of the President to relieve Ministers and reassign them to different Ministries, has no bearing on the approval of Ministers and Deputy Ministers designate presented to Parliament.

The Speaker of Parliament, on Wednesday March 20, 2024 announced the inability of the House to continue to consider the nominations of the President citing the pendency of an injunction application seeking to restrain him from proceeding with the vetting and determination thereafter.

The statement said the application filed by the South Dayi MP consists of a bare writ of summons. Mr Yeboah Dame said the statement of case in support of the writ has not been filed as mandated by the Supreme Court Rules which means that the suit is not properly constituted and could be struck out if not filed within fourteen days.

The Attorney General said the plaintiff has not filed an application for interlocutory injunction to restrain the Speaker from proceeding with the vetting and approval of persons presented by the President, or any other interlocutory relief.

In view of this the Attorney-General reiterates that there is nothing before the Supreme Court which may constitute a restraint or bind Parliament from proceeding with the approval of Minister and Deputy Ministers designate.

The statement notes that although a relief stated on the writ filed on March 18, 2024 purports to be an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Speaker of Parliament from proceeding with the vetting and approval, it is not an application for interlocutory injunction.