Speaker Bagbin Frames Parliament-Judiciary Interplay as a Constitutional Partnership, Not a Rivalry | Discuss Ghana

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has emphasized that the relationship between the legislature and the judiciary is rooted in a collaborative constitutional partnership designed to safeguard democracy, rejecting notions of institutional rivalry between the two arms of government.

Delivering a public lecture marking the Supreme Court’s 150th anniversary in Accra, Speaker Bagbin highlighted the apex court's pivotal role in translating the 1992 Constitution into practical democratic governance. While commending the judiciary for protecting fundamental rights and anchoring constitutional supremacy, Bagbin cautioned against two potential pitfalls: judicial overreach into legislative mandates and excessive judicial restraint during constitutional crises. He stressed that while judicial review must respect Parliament's democratic and legislative prerogative, lawmakers must equally honor the court's exclusive jurisdiction to interpret the law. Bagbin called for mutual restraint, institutional respect, and consistent jurisprudence to reinforce public trust and strengthen the rule of law across Ghana's democratic landscape.

Sustaining principled collaboration between the legislature and judiciary remains vital for maintaining the balance of powers and stability in Ghana's Fourth Republic.