The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has announced that the House will reconvene on December 16. This announcement was made through a statement issued on Monday, December 2.
The statement read, “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 House was adjourned indefinitely on November 7 after Speaker Bagbin suspended proceedings due to the absence of a prepared agenda from the Business Committee. Earlier, the Speaker declined a request from Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to recall the House. Bagbin emphasized that the House would reconvene after the December 7 elections to address essential matters, ensuring a smooth transition to the 9th Parliament of the Fourth Republic.
Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Effutu lawmaker, subsequently urged the Speaker to use his constitutional mandate under Standing Orders 57(3) and 58(4) to recall Parliament and handle outstanding business. In his response, Speaker Bagbin wrote, “I write in response to your memo on the above subject, received at the Office of the Speaker on Friday, 22nd November 2024, while I was away from the office to honor an invitation outside Accra. Your memo calls on me to exercise my discretion, pursuant to Orders 57(3) and 58(4) of the Standing Orders of the House, to summon the House for two days, Thursday 28 and Friday 29th November 2024, to consider twenty-two (22) items referred to as either outstanding public business or urgent Government Business.”
He further explained, “Hon. Leader, as you may be aware, the performance of the functions of Parliament and the duties of members extend beyond plenary sittings. The parliamentary calendar also accounts for election campaign periods, during which the Government, Parties, and candidates present their manifestoes and justify their mandates to the people. Considering Article 296(a) and (b) of the Constitution, 1992, and the proximity of your proposed dates to the general election, I believe it would not serve the national interest to interrupt members’ and parties’ campaigns for a recall to plenary sitting.”
Speaker Bagbin elaborated on his position, adding, “It is worth noting that given the House’s practices, it is unclear how the proposed twenty-two items could be transacted within two days. I therefore suggest that the government prioritizes these businesses for consideration after the December 7 general elections. The House will resume sitting after the elections to complete all essential matters before a seamless transition to the 9th Parliament. The national interest would be better served if members demonstrate conduct of honor, empathy, and humility in performing their duties. Consequently, I am not inclined to exercise my discretion in favor of your request. The request is accordingly declined.”
