The Majority in Parliament has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, for an urgent reconvening of the House.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker by the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, reference was made to Article 112(3) and Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, which permit 15% of the members of the House to request the recall of Parliament.
This is to address key government businesses.
These business items include the adoption of the Thirty-Fourth Report of the Appointments Committee and a motion on additional financing.
According to the Majority, these are the “Additional Financing Agreement between GoG and the IDA for an amount of US$150 million to finance the ongoing Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project,” and a “Request for Tax Exemption for selected beneficiaries under the 1D1F Programme.”
According to the Standing Orders, the Speaker of Parliament is expected to summon Parliament within seven days of receiving this request.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, shocked Members of Parliament (MPs) when he adjourned the House sine die on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
This followed the Speaker’s dissatisfaction regarding a letter received from the Presidency via the Clerk of Parliament directing the House to stop sending the recent anti-LGBT+ Bill to the president for his assent.
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The Speaker of Parliament also decided to suspend the consideration of ministerial nominees, citing a case challenging a part of the process.
Mr Bagbin explained that an interlocutory injunction filed at the Supreme Court by Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, restricted him from proceeding with the process.
At the time, the Majority expressed unhappiness with the Speaker’s sole decision to adjourn sittings without approving the president’s ministerial nominations.
In a statement, the Majority Leader described March 20, 2024, as a sad day for Ghana’s democracy.