The Minority Caucus in Parliament has issued a sharp rebuke over what it calls a serious constitutional violation following the simultaneous absence of President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin from the country—without swearing in an Acting President as required under Article 60 of the 1992 Constitution.
In a press statement released on Monday, May 12, 2025, the Minority described the situation as “alarming and unconstitutional,” warning that it leaves Ghana without a constitutionally designated Head of State.
According to Article 60, when both the President and Vice President are unavailable, the Speaker of Parliament must be sworn in to act as President.
President Mahama was in Togo attending the African Union Debt Conference, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang was receiving medical treatment in the UK, and Speaker Bagbin had left the country on May 8, with no measures taken to constitutionally assign presidential responsibilities.
The Minority further argued that with the Chief Justice currently suspended, there is no legal authority in place to administer the oath of office—creating what they describe as a vacuum of executive authority.
“This administration continues to treat the Constitution as an inconvenience rather than a binding framework,” the statement read.
The Minority also accused the government of “calculated and deliberate” disregard for the rule of law.
Read the Minority’s full statement below:
