Former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has criticized President John Dramani Mahama’s administration for what he describes as a constitutional breach, following the simultaneous absence of key state officials.
According to Joe Wise as he is popularly known, the President’s failure to comply with Article 60 of the 1992 Constitution, which requires the swearing-in of an Acting President in the absence of the President, Vice President, and Speaker of Parliament, is both “unfortunate and inappropriate.”
President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin have all reportedly been out of the country on different assignments.
Joe Wise expressed concern that the absence of these top figures renders the nation vulnerable, emphasising that such a constitutional lapse should never have occurred.
“It was inappropriate and not the right thing to do. They have left the country idle, and if there’s any emergency or important situation that requires the President’s powers, it cannot be handled because we don’t have the executive authority or voice to act.”
“The three, President, Vice President, and Speaker didn’t make proper arrangements. They shouldn’t have traveled at the same time. It should never have happened,” the former Chair of the Appointments Committee of Parliament told Ohemaa Sakyiwaa on the Angel Morning Show on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
The former Bekwai Member of Parliament (MP) accused the President and his government of treating the Constitution lightly.
“This never happened during my time in Parliament. We always acted in accordance with the Constitution. But now, the President has failed to comply with the very Constitution they are supposed to uphold. They have taken the country’s Constitution for granted.”
Joe Wise, however, exonerated the Vice Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang from this, stating that “As for the Vice President, we are all aware of her health condition.”
He expressed his disappointment that the President did not ensure an Acting President was sworn in before traveling abroad.
“Before the President embarked on his trip, he should have made sure the Speaker swore in an Acting President. That was the right thing to do.”
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has also condemned the situation, describing it as “alarming and unconstitutional,” and warning that it leaves Ghana without a constitutionally mandated Head of State.
