Speaker Alban Bagbin
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has stated that the House cannot reconvene ahead of the December elections.
This response comes after the Majority Caucus appealed for an emergency recall to address pressing government business.
In a letter dated November 22, 2024, and signed by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the caucus proposed November 28 and 29 as potential dates for the session.
However, the Speaker maintained that parliamentary activities would remain on hold until after the general elections.
Bagbin, in a memo to the majority on Tuesday, noted that “The House will resume sitting after the elections to complete all essential matters before a seamless transition to the 9th Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.”
“The national interest would better be served if members exhibit conduct of honour, empathy, and humility in the performance of their duties. In the circumstances, I am neither inclined nor disposed to exercise my discretion in favour of your request. The request is accordingly declined,” he stated.
The Speaker told Afenyo-Markin that he was aware the parliamentary calendar acknowledged election campaign periods.
“This season is for the government, parties, and both presidential and parliamentary candidates to present their manifestoes to the people and to account and justify the mandate given them by the voters for the four-year term of office has been applied to the benefit of the people,” he added.
Minority request
The Minority Caucus in Parliament urged the Speaker to dismiss a request from the Majority Caucus for the recall of the House.
The Minority Caucus, led by its leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, countered this recall attempt in a memo on Monday. Addressed to Speaker Bagbin, the Minority’s response challenged the legitimacy and procedural compliance of the Majority’s request.
Dr. Ato Forson argued that the recall did not meet “the threshold and requirement under Article 112 (3) of the Constitution and Order 53(1) of the Standing Orders which require signatures of 15 percent of members of Parliament to trigger a recall of Parliament.”
Beyond the procedural arguments, the Minority raised concerns about the timing and necessity of the proposed recall.
They labelled the recall request as an “ill-fated and ill-timed recall. Should this request be granted, not only will members of Parliament be required to truncate their important engagements with the electorate, but members will have to contend with logistical and other challenges to commute over long distances, difficult and hard-to-reach constituencies to Accra.”
The Minority also questioned the urgency of the recall, arguing that the petitioner, the Majority Caucus, had not demonstrated any pressing national emergency or critical government business that necessitates such action.
The Minority urged the Speaker to uphold the principles of fairness and propriety in his decision, warning that granting the recall would set a precedent for future abuses of parliamentary processes.
