Speaker of Parliament sworn in as acting President

Audio By Carbonatix

The Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood has sworn in the Speaker of Parliament as acting president following the absence of President John Mahama and the vice president.

At a short ceremony before Members of Parliament on Wednesday morning, the Chief Justice administered the Presidential oath to Edward Doe Adjaho in line with the requirements of Article 60 (12) of Ghana’s 1992 constitution.

On two previous occasions, when the president and his vice were out of the country, Doe Ajaho refused to take the oath, arguing since he had taken oath previously, he didn't need to take it again.

His refusal compelled a private citizen, Samuel Atta Mensah to seek interpretation of the law at the Supreme Court.

A ruling was given making it a constitutional obligation for the Speaker to take the presidential oath and assume responsibilities of the President and his deputy in case they are both out of the country.

President Mahama is travelling to Scotland today, Wednesday, March 16, 2016, on official duties.

The vice president, Kwesi Amissah Arthur is in India.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Tags: