Speaker Mike Ocquaye
The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye, has recalled Members of Parliament for a sitting tomorrow, Thursday, April 30 2020.
“The Parliamentary Service wishes to inform all Honourable Members and Staff of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye, in accordance with Standing Order 6, has directed the resumption of the Sitting of the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic on Thursday, the 30th of April, 2020 at Ten O’clock prompt at Parliament House, Accra,” a statement signed by Parliament’s Director of Public Affairs, Kate Addo, stated.
The sitting, according to the statement, will, among other things, consider waiving VAT on donated equipment and good being brought into the country to help boost the fight against the coronavirus disease.
“The House will also be permitting the deduction of contributions and donations towards COVID-19 as allowable expenses for tax purposes and extending the due date for the filing of taxes from four (4) months to six (6) months after the end of the basis year,” the statement added.
Minority unhappy
The Minority side in Parliament were unhappy with the recent decision by the Speaker to suspend the House, instead of adjourning sittings.
Parliamentarians were supposed to go on a recess Saturday, April 4, 2020.
Instead of adjourning sittings sine die, the Speaker of Parliament suspended sittings sine die, a decision that did not go down well with the Minority MPs.
Per the Standing Orders of the House, if sittings are adjourned sine die, the Speaker would have to give MPs at least two weeks’ notice before the House could be recalled.
But with the indefinite suspension, the House could reconvene at any time to deal with an urgent business that may arise.
Professor Mike Oquaye explained that the decision was taken following the COVID-19 outbreak which could compel Parliament to be recalled at any time to attend to urgent business.
Source: Daily Statesman
