Captain Nkrabea Effah Darteh (RTD) is a former Member of Parliament for Berekum,
A former Member of Parliament for Berekum, Captain Nkrabea Effah Darteh (RTD), has raised concerns over what he describes as a serious constitutional breach involving President John Dramani Mahama and his Vice President, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
He claims that their joint absence from the country on Mother’s Day without properly handing over authority to the Speaker of Parliament violates Ghana’s constitution.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem on Monday, May 12, 2025, Effah Darteh argued that the absence of the country’s top two leaders should have been accompanied by a formal process to empower the Speaker to act in their stead.
He stressed that without such a measure, governance is left in a constitutional vacuum.
“Honestly and sincerely, to be faithful to the law, if the president is not available and the vice president is also not around, and if the Chief Justice did not officially swear the Speaker in to act in their absence, then there is a very serious breach of the constitution,” he stated.
Effah Darte emphasised the importance of adhering strictly to the constitution to maintain order and continuity in governance.
He stressed that such oversight could set a dangerous precedent for future administrations.
The former MP insisted that the nation deserves clarity on who was in charge during the absence of both the president and his vice.
According to Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, Article 60(11) stipulates that the Speaker of Parliament shall act as President when both the President and Vice President are unable to perform their duties. However, this must follow a formal swearing-in by the Chief Justice.
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