The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has declined the request by the Majority Caucus to recall members for a two-day sitting.
In a response to the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, on the request, Speaker Bagbin said he exercised his discretion in accordance with Order 57, against the request, as the recall sought was not in the national interest.
According to Bagbin, accepting to recall the House at this time would mean interrupting their election campaign, which is recognised by the calendar of Parliament.
“Hon. Leader, as you may be aware, the performance of the functions of Parliament and the duties of members of Parliament extend beyond the plenary sittings of Parliament. Again, as you are aware, the parliamentary calendar acknowledges election campaign periods,” the Speaker said.
He continued that: “This season is for the government, parties and both presidential and parliamentary candidates to present their manifestoes to the people and to account for and justify how the mandate given them by the voters for the four-year term of office has been applied to the benefit of the people.
“Bearing in mind the provisions of Article 296(a) and (b) of the 1992 Constitution, and the closeness of your proposed dates to the general election, I am of the considered opinion that it would not be in the national interest to interrupt the campaigns of members and parties by a recall to the plenary sitting of Parliament.
“Consequently, it will not be fair to exercise my discretion in favour of your request to summon Members of Parliament at this time to a two-day sitting to deliberate on 22 items you consider urgent or outstanding government businesses.”
PERIOD
Speaker Bagbin also argued that two days were not enough to deliberate on the 22 items listed by the leader of government business.
He suggested that government prioritise these businesses together with others not captured by the memo for consideration, after the conduct of the general elections on December 7, 2024.
He said 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.”
He added that: “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.”
REQUEST
The Majority Caucus on Friday, November 22, 2024 petitioned the Speaker to recall the House to sit on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29, 2024 to consider outstanding public businesses.
The Majority Leader argued that the sixth meeting of the fourth session of Parliament on November 7 was indefinitely adjourned without considering any government business.
Among others, the Majority Leader informed the Speaker that the House needed to consider requests for tax exemptions for designated beneficiaries under the One-District, One-Factory program and the consideration of the President’s nominations for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court.
They were also to consider the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, an International Development Association facility of $250 million and ratify the mining lease agreement between the government and the Ashanti Bauxite Company Limited for the mining of bauxite in the Nyinahini Block 2 Area in the Atwima Mponua District in the Ashanti Region.
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament had earlier written to Speaker Bagbin to reject the request by the Majority to recall the House.
