Recalling Parliament would interrupt campaigns of MPs – Speaker Bagbin declines Afenyo-Markin’s request

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has turned down a request by the NPP Caucus in Parliament to recall the House for a sitting.

In a memo issued on Tuesday, November 26, Speaker Bagbin clarified that Parliament would reconvene after the elections to address critical matters and ensure a smooth transition to the 9th Parliament under the Fourth Republic.

“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 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. The request is accordingly declined,” portions of the memo read.

The Speaker also noted that the parliamentary calendar had been couched to accommodate election periods.

“Again, as you are aware, the parliamentary calendar acknowledges election campaign periods. This season is for the Government, Parties, and both presidential and parliamentary candidates to present their manifestoes to the people, and to account and justify how the mandate given them by the voters for the four-year term of office has been applied to the benefit of the people.”

“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, 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 a plenary sitting of Parliament. 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 twenty-two (22) items you consider urgent or outstanding government businesses.”

The decision comes shortly after the NDC caucus in Parliament urged the Speaker to reject the recall request submitted by NPP MPs.