By Belinda Nketia
The 9th Parliament of Ghana has been inaugurated, but the ceremony was not without controversy. Acting Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror revealed issues with two constituencies: Ablekuma North and Akwatia.
According to Djietror, the Electoral Commission’s writ of election results came in three sequences. The first was issued on December 23, 2024, and two constituencies had issues with collation. The second was received on January 2, 2025, with results from the Dome Kwabenya constituency, and the third arrived on January 5, 2025, covering Okaikwei Central, Tema Central, and Techiman South parliamentary elections.
However, Djietror highlighted concerns regarding Ablekuma North, where no election writ has been received, making it impossible to proceed with the roll call and eligibility of the honorable member to participate in the election of the Speaker.
In the case of Akwatia, a High Court issued an interim injunction restraining the Clerk of Parliament from recognizing Ernest Yaw Kumi as the elected member. Despite the parliamentary service having completed Kumi’s registration, the court order prohibits his participation in the Speaker’s election.
Djietror cautioned that any member who participates in the vote despite the court order may be committing an offense under Article 105 of the 1992 Constitution. With this, the acting clerk declared that he has discharged his noble duty.