“A petition to Speaker will be enough, not a lawsuit”- Yaw Dankwah weighs in on MPs suspension

Private Legal Practitioner Yaw Dankwah has weighed in on the heated debate surrounding the recent suspension of Members of Parliament (MPs) by Speaker Alban S.K. Bagbin, advising the Minority Caucus to pursue a petition instead of filing a lawsuit.

Speaking exclusively on ABC News GH on Monday, January 3, Dankwah expressed that Parliament has its own prerogative and latitude when it comes to disciplinary matters, and that the proper course of action is a formal petition to the Speaker for reconsideration.

“A petition to the Speaker will be enough, not a lawsuit,” Dankwah emphasized.

He further noted that the Speaker, who is not above the law, is a reasonable person, and he believes the Speaker would be willing to revisit his decision if approached in the right manner.

This comment comes amid a fierce backlash from the Minority Caucus over the suspension of four MPs, following a chaotic incident during the Appointments Committee’s vetting process on January 30, 2025.

The Minority has criticized Speaker Bagbin’s actions as unconstitutional, alleging violations of their right to a fair hearing, as well as accusations of selective justice.

They argue that the unilateral suspension breaches constitutional provisions, particularly Article 19(1), which guarantees the right to a fair hearing.

The Minority also claims the Speaker’s decision undermines parliamentary democracy, warning of the dangerous precedent it could set.

Amidst these tensions, Dankwah’s call for a more diplomatic approach aims to shift the focus from legal battles to constructive dialogue with the Speaker.