The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has declined a request from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Caucus to recall Parliament for a sitting. Instead, he has announced that the House will reconvene on Monday, December 16, 2024, to address outstanding business and ensure a smooth transition to the 9th Parliament under the Fourth Republic.
In a memo issued on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, Speaker Bagbin emphasized the importance of allowing Members of Parliament (MPs) to focus on ongoing election campaigns. He explained that the parliamentary calendar had been structured to accommodate election periods, underscoring the need for parties, presidential candidates, and MPs to engage with constituents during this critical time.
“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 stated. “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.”
Calendar Prioritizes Election Campaigns
Speaker Bagbin highlighted that election periods are specifically accounted for in the parliamentary calendar, providing MPs the opportunity to campaign and present their manifestoes to the electorate. He noted that recalling Parliament at this time would disrupt these activities and would not be in the national interest.
“Bearing in mind the provisions of Article 296 (a) and (b) of the Constitution, 1992, and the closeness of your proposed dates to the general election, it would 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 twenty-two (22) items you consider urgent or outstanding government business,” he added.
Opposition to Recall by NDC Caucus
The Speaker’s decision comes shortly after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus urged him to reject the NPP’s recall request. In a memo dated November 25, 2024, and signed by Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the NDC Caucus argued that the NPP’s request did not meet the constitutional and procedural requirements outlined in Article 112(3) and Standing Order 53(1).
Dr. Forson stated that the request lacked the necessary legal framework and failed to demonstrate any urgent or crisis-driven need for Parliament to reconvene.
“The request made by the NPP MPs is not supported by the required constitutional and procedural framework. For any recall to be valid, it must meet certain criteria. Unfortunately, this request falls short of those legal standards,” he noted.
Dr. Forson further asserted that the Speaker has the discretion to reject such requests, particularly when the threshold for urgency has not been met.
“With barely eleven days to the crucial 2024 General Election, there is no clear and justifiable reason for the urgent reconvening of the House. The petition, in our view, is an attempt to create an unnecessary disruption,” he concluded.
Background
On November 22, 2024, the NPP MPs petitioned the Speaker, citing the need to address 22 items of government business. However, Speaker Bagbin’s decision reinforces the priority of the election campaign period and the constitutional obligation to ensure a smooth transition to the next Parliament.
Parliament will resume on December 16, 2024, to conclude all essential business before the transition to the 9th Parliament.
