The statute that permitted President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to impose limitations as part of the effort to contain the coronavirus pandemic has been overturned by the Supreme Court.
In order to combat the COVID-19 epidemic, the government enacted the Imposition of the Restriction Act, giving the President the authority to impose restrictions on human activity.
Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, a law professor and human rights activist, brought the government before the Supreme Court with the help of eight other individuals.
The applicants filed a lawsuit against the Attorney General, alleging that orders issued under the act, such as those ordering the closure of schools and limiting movement, were illegal.They argued that it erroneously gave the President the authority to unilaterally suspend basic human rights and freedoms throughout Ghana or in a particular region, while excluding the special management or regulation of these rights and freedoms by the Chief Justice and the Superior Court of Judicature, as well as the role of Parliament in managing or regulating these rights and freedoms throughout Ghana.The Act was declared to be void and null by the top court in its judgement.
