Majority Caucus wants Bagbin to recall Parl a day after recess

The Majority Caucus in Parliament has commenced the process to have the Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, recall members from recess.

A memo addressed to the Speaker, sighted by The Chronicle, underscored the need for Parliament to reconvene to attend to matters of national importance.

Fortified with Article 112(3) of the 1992 constitution, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader, who also leads government business in the House, wrote to the Speaker to recall parliament.

Article 112(3) allows fifteen percent of MPs to convene a parliamentary session. This is reinforced by Standing Orders 53(1) and 53(2), stressing the Speaker’s obligation to summon Parliament within seven days after receipt of the request.

The Chronicle understands that the Majority Caucus has formally requested an extraordinary session of Parliament.

AGENDA ITEMS

The MPs have outlined several urgent government matters that necessitate immediate parliamentary deliberation, including a financing agreement, legislation and tax exemptions.

The government, through the majority caucus, will be seeking approval of a $250 million agreement between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association for the Ghana Energy Sector Recovery Programme.

The House will also consider tax exemptions for beneficiaries under the One District, One Factory Programme.

Another item is the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, where there will be discussion of a $250 million facility from the International Development Association.

The government will also move for deliberation on several key bills, including the Budget Bill 2023, Rent Bill 2023 and University of Local Governance and Development Bill 2024.

The other legislation will be the Environmental Protection Bill 2024, the Social Protection Bill 2024, the Intestate Succession Bill 2022, the Chartered Institute of Reconstruction and Insolvency Practitioners Bill 2023, the Ghana Industrial Property Office Bill 2024 and the National Petroleum Authority Bill 2024.

ADJOURN SINE DIE

Parliament on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 adjourned sine die to the disappointment of the Majority Caucus, whose leader described it as “abrupt.”

In his letter calling for the extraordinary session of Parliament, he said that the urgency of the matters listed above compels the recall to ensure the government can meet its constitutional responsibilities and address pressing national issues effectively.

The majority has stressed the importance of this requisition, highlighting its basis in good faith and national interest.

They urged the Speaker to act within the seven-day period as stipulated, underscoring the urgent need to reconvene Parliament.

The Right Honourable Speaker is expected to respond to this requisition promptly, as the majority had expressed their readiness to provide any further information or clarification required to facilitate the convening of the extraordinary session.

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