{
  "id": 11912648,
  "title": "Executive intimidation of opposition undermines separation of powers – Prof Oquaye",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/executive-intimidation-of-opposition-undermines-separation-of-powers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T11:16:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/executive-intimidation-of-opposition-undermines-separation-of-powers-prof-oquaye/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, has warned that the principle of separation of powers is jeopardized when the Executive employs intimidation or silencing tactics against opposition members. According to him, the constitutional safeguards and parliamentary privileges must be respected irrespective of the political affiliations. Prof. Oquaye underscored the significance of preserving parliamentary privilege for upholding the constitutional equilibrium among the branches of government. \"You cannot have a separation of powers in the Constitution if the Executive takes steps to silence the opposition, and that harassment is not appropriate,\" he stated. Prof. Oquaye elaborated on his handling of a case concerning former MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, who was under investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor while he was Speaker. He explained that his involvement stemmed from the necessity to safeguard Mr. Ayariga's constitutional rights, not political considerations. \"Mr. Ayariga was targeted by the previous Special Prosecutor during my term, and I was actively engaged in halting their efforts since it is not about the NPP or NDC,\" he noted. Prof. Oquaye invited the then Special Prosecutor to an open meeting to ensure the matter was addressed in line with the Constitution. \"I was extremely insistent on protecting his rights. So much so that I invited the Special Prosecutor for an open meeting to ensure we all adhered to the tenets of the Constitution. I backed this up with a letter for the records. It's there. And Ayariga would not be abused. His rights would not be abused,\" Prof. Oquaye emphasized. He further added, \"If you read my ruling, as journalists go investigate. I traced the history of parliamentary privilege, including the infractions that took place even in England, and how it evolved to be strengthened, and the underlying purpose.\"",
  "summary": "Former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, has cautioned that the principle of separation of powers is undermined when the Executive uses state institutions to intimidate or silence members of the opposition.",
  "key_points": [
    "Executive intimidation of opposition undermines separation of powers.",
    "Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye warns against silencing tactics.",
    "He upheld parliamentary privilege for constitutional equilibrium."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}