Beatrice Annan, spokesperson for the John Dramani Mahama campaign, has argued that the Supreme Court does not hold ultimate authority.

Speaking on a panel discussion on Metro TV, Beatrice Annan criticized Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo for failing to compel the Speaker of Parliament to reconvene.

She further compared this to the president’s appointment powers. While the president can appoint officials, Beatrice Annan noted, it is the Constitution that grants him this power, not his personal supremacy.

This analogy, she argued, highlights why the Supreme Court cannot be seen as supreme.

Beatrice Annan also questioned why the Chief Justice did not take action to have Parliament recalled, asking, “There is nothing like the superiority of the judiciary. The Constitution is supreme. The intent of democracy and constitutionalism is that you have to rule according to the Constitution. So, your source of power is from the Constitution. That is why the Constitution instructs that you elect a majority from parliament”.

She pointed out that the Constitution does not grant the Chief Justice the authority to enforce such a decision.

“We know the superiority of the Supreme Court and not the judiciary. So why didn’t the Chief Justice compel the Speaker to go back to parliament?” she questioned.

“If she comes out with a verdict, she will say that by some magical interpretation, these people haven’t vacated their seats, so they are still members of parliament. What can she do beyond that? What can she do? She can only declare what the Constitution says; after that, what can she do? She can’t do anything about it,” Beatrice stated.