The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has recalled the legislature for a sitting following his earlier indefinite suspension of the House.
In a notice dated December 2, 2024, the Speaker announced that the House would reconvene on Monday, December 16, 2024, to conduct business.
“Pursuant to Order 58 of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana, I, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, hereby give notice that the Seventh Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic shall commence on Monday, the 16th day of December 2024, at ten o’clock in the forenoon at a place to be appointed by the Speaker in due course,” the statement signed by the Speaker said.
The announcement by the Speaker comes a few days after he declined a request by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Caucus to issue an emergency recall of the House ahead of the December 7, 2024, general election.
According to Bagbin, in a memo to the caucus on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, summoning the House just a few days before the elections would not be in the nation’s best interest.
He explained that the parliamentary calendar acknowledges election campaign periods, during which the government and Members of Parliament present their manifestos and hold themselves accountable to Ghanaians for the mandate they have been given.
“Again, as you are aware, the parliamentary calendar acknowledges election campaign periods. This season is for the Government, Parties, and both presidential and parliamentary candidates to present their manifestos to the people and to account 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,” parts of the memo read.
Bagbin further noted that the proposed two days (November 28 and 29) suggested by the Leader of Government Business, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, would not be sufficient for the House to address the twenty-two urgent items on the agenda.
“It is worth noting that, having regard to the practice and deliberations of the House, I wonder how the proposed twenty-two items could be transacted within two days.
“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.
In conclusion, Alban Bagbin said, “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 Speaker’s response comes after the New Patriotic Party Caucus in Parliament appealed for an emergency recall to address pressing government business.
