Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has summoned Parliament to sit on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
This decision comes in response to a petition from the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin requesting an urgent recall of the House to deliberate on government business.
In his response on Wednesday, August 7, the Speaker noted that a careful review of the matters outlined in the request revealed they do not meet the threshold set by Article 112 of the Constitution.
“Most of the issues, including the $250 million IDA financing agreement, were already tabled before the House prior to the adjournment on 30th July 2024. The fact that these matters were already under consideration by Parliament and, in the case of the IDA Financing Agreement, were even subjected to debate and rejected, undermines the essence of the request for a recall.”
“Indeed, several of the bills listed on the request are bills that are still under consideration at Committee. The official reports of 30th July show the unwillingness of even members of the Majority side to transact the same business,” he noted.
Mr Bagbin noted that Article 112 (1) of the Constitution empowered him to appoint the place for Parliament to conduct its business.
“Relying on this constitutional provision and noting the unavailability of the Chamber of the House as stated above, the poor state of the Accra International Conference Centre, the Speaker has a practical challenge to appoint a place suitable for a parliamentary meeting,” he added.
He said he needed to weigh the broader context, such as the current logistical realities, to make an informed decision that aligns with the overarching principles of good governance and democratic integrity.
“To address these practical concerns, and to allow sufficient time for preparations, as I intimated several times to the House before the adjournment sine die, I summon Parliament to meet on Tuesday, 3rd of September 2024, at a place and venue to be communicated as soon as one becomes available. Order 53 cannot therefore be fully complied with,” he stated.
Mr Bagbin assured the public that his commitment to his Oath to inter alia “faithfully and consciously discharge my duties as Speaker of Parliament.”
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