Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, Acting Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has dismissed claims of a constitutional power vacuum in Ghana. This follows concerns raised by the Minority Caucus in Parliament regarding the absence of President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, and Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin from the country.
Tamakloe emphasized that Ghana’s government is functioning as designed, with institutional continuity assured. He noted, “There is an Acting Chief Justice (CJ) in Ghana, which confirms that the three arms of government are operational. Therefore, there is no power vacuum.”
The Minority had accused the government of violating the Constitution, citing that while President Mahama attended the African Union Debt Conference in Togo, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang was receiving medical treatment in the UK, and Speaker Bagbin was also abroad. They referred to Article 60 of the Constitution, stating that an Acting President should be sworn in during such absences. However, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo remains suspended, complicating the situation.
Despite the Minority’s claims of a “deliberate and calculated” constitutional violation, Tamakloe reassured the public that there is no leadership crisis and that the presidency remains intact.
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