The Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has declined a request by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary caucus to recall the House for a 2-day extraordinary sitting. In a memo sighted by Ceditalk which was addressed to the Leader of Government Business, Alex Afenyo-Markin (MP, Effutu) on Wednesday, Mr. Bagbin noted the challenges with recalling Parliament at a time when election campaign has reached a crescendo. The Speaker continued, “the parliamentary calendar acknowledges elections campaign periods” which have gained momentum with 11 days to the general election on December 7.

He said, “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 plenary sitting of Parliament. Consequently, it will not be fair to exercise my discretion in favor 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 NPP Caucus has already initiated 3 requests for parliamentary recall, as of right, this year with a fourth request triggered by Mr. Afenyo-Markin on Friday, November 22. The first 3 requests were granted, however on October 15, the House reconvened for a full meeting which was scheduled to last for 4 weeks with a packed agenda including the presentation of the Budget for the first half of 2025. The meeting couldn’t take its natural course as it was interrupted due to a petition for the Speaker to declare some 4 seats vacant pursuant to Article 97(1)(g) and (h). The subsequent pronouncement generated misunderstanding which Mr. Afenyo-Markin, leader of the NPP caucus, proceeded to the Supreme Court for an interpretation of the said constitutional provision. While waiting for the decision of the apex court, the NPP caucus boycotted the chamber saying they were not prepared to sit at the left side of the Speaker as by convention reserved for the party or parties referred to as “minority”. The disagreements forced the Speaker to adjourn the House indefinitely twice because each time parliament sat without the NPP caucus present there was quorum to start business but short of the required two-thirds majority to take decisions, many of the businesses stood in the name of the government side (ie. NPP) who wouldn’t become available.

However, the Speaker while declining the Effutu lawmaker’s request noted that two days wasn’t enough to consider the 22 items listed in Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s memo further suggesting that “government prioritises these businesses together with others not captured by your memo for consideration” after the general election where parliament will resume sitting to complete all essential matters before the transition to the 9th Parliament.