Speaker declines Parliament recall request

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has declined the request by the Majority Leader for him to recall the House to consider outstanding urgent government and public businesses two days ahead of the December 7 polls.

He said given the closeness of the elections, recalling Members of Parliament would disrupt their campaign and that would not serve the national interest.

In such circumstances, he said, he was neither inclined nor disposed to exercise his discretion in favour of Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s request to recall the legislators.

“Bearing in mind the provisions of Article 296 (a) and (b) of the Constitution and the closeness of the 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 plenary sitting of Parliament,” the Speaker said.

In a November 26, 2024 memo in response to the request of the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Mr Bagbin said: “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.

“It is worth noting that having regard to the practice and deliberations of the House, I wonder how the proposed 22 items could be transacted within two days.

“I accordingly suggest that government prioritises these businesses together with others not captured by your memo for consideration after the conduct of the general election on December 7, 2024,” Mr Bagbin’s memo stated.

Functions by plenary

The Speaker said the request to recall Parliament was received at his Office on Friday, November 22, 2024, at a time he was out of the office to honour an invitation outside Accra.

He said the Majority Leader’s memo called on him to exercise his discretion pursuant to Orders 57(3) and 58(4) of the Standing Orders of the House to summon the House to sit for two days, November 28 and 29, 2024, to consider 22 items, all of which the Leader referred to as either outstanding public business or urgent government business.

“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,” he stated. 

Request declined

Mr Bagbin said the prevailing season was for the government, parties and both presidential and parliamentary candidates to present their manifestos to the people, and to account for and justify how the mandate given them by the voters for the four-year term of office had been applied to the benefit of the people.

He, therefore, stressed that the House would resume sitting after the elections to complete all essential matters before a seamless transition to the Ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

“The national interest would better be served if members exhibit conducts 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 said.