Calls grow for constitutional compliance amid fresh concerns of executive overreach
The Ghanaian government’s recent acceptance of a group of West African deportees from the United States has reignited debate over executive adherence to constitutional procedures, drawing sharp criticism from lawmakers and governance experts alike.
Former Eastern Regional Minister and Member of Parliament, Seth Acheampong, has joined a growing chorus of voices questioning the government’s decision to proceed with the deportee arrangement without seeking parliamentary ratification—a move critics say violates Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution.
Speaking on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV on Thursday, September 25, 2025, Mr Acheampong lamented the recurrence of procedural lapses in international agreements, pointing to a disturbing pattern that undermines democratic oversight.
“This is not the first time we’re encountering this issue,” he said, referencing the controversial 2016 decision by then-President John Dramani Mahama to admit two Guantanamo Bay detainees without parliamentary approval. That decision was later challenged in court, prompting a ruling that required the agreement to be ratified or the detainees returned.
Mr Acheampong expressed disappointment that, nearly a decade later, the same constitutional issues are resurfacing under the same administration.
“It is becoming concerning because it’s happened in my senior brother John’s first term, and we are experiencing it again in his second term,” he said. “When it goes on and on, it is as if we are not learning anything as a country.”
At the heart of the controversy is Article 75 of the Constitution, which mandates that all international agreements entered into by the executive must be brought before Parliament for ratification. Legal experts and minority legislators argue that bypassing this process not only violates the Constitution but also sets a dangerous precedent for unchecked executive action.
The Minority in Parliament has called for an immediate suspension of the deportee agreement, insisting that the deal lacks legal backing without parliamentary oversight. They have accused the executive of sidelining the legislative arm and eroding democratic safeguards.
Mr Acheampong, though a member of the governing New Patriotic Party, aligned himself with the Minority’s stance on the matter.
“My colleagues in Parliament are saying let’s do things right—and I believe, in summary, that is all they are asking us to do,” he noted. “This is a moment for the executive to eat humble pie and uphold the Constitution.”
Governance analysts warn that repeated disregard for parliamentary ratification processes threatens not only constitutional integrity but also public trust in the institutions of state.
As the controversy grows, pressure is mounting on the government to revisit the agreement and subject it to the appropriate legislative scrutiny. Observers say doing so would not only comply with the law but also demonstrate a commitment to institutional accountability and the rule of law.
