Speaker Bagbin Declines Request To Recall House

By: Justice Nii Torgbor

In a significant development, the Speaker of Parliament has declined a request by the Majority Leader, Afenyo Markins, to recall the House for a two-day sitting to consider 22 outstanding public business and urgent government matters.

The request, made pursuant to Orders 57(3) and 58(4) of the Standing Orders of the House, sought to have the House sit on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, 2024. However, the Speaker, citing the proximity of the proposed dates to the general election, declined the request.

According to the Speaker, the parliamentary calendar acknowledges election campaign periods, and it would not be in the national interest to interrupt the campaigns of members and parties. The Speaker also expressed concerns about the feasibility of transacting the proposed 22 items within the allotted two-day period.

Instead, the Speaker suggested that the government prioritize these matters, along with others not captured in the memo, for consideration after the general election. 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.

This development is not the first time the Speaker has declined a request to recall the House. In 2019, the Speaker suspended parliamentary sitting due to a lack of quorum ¹. The Speaker’s decision is in line with the provisions of Article 296 (a) and (b) of the Constitution, 1992, which emphasizes the importance of considering the national interest in the performance of parliamentary duties.

The Speaker’s decision has been welcomed by some, who argue that it allows members to focus on their election campaigns and engage with their constituents. Others, however, have expressed disappointment, citing the need for urgent attention to be given to certain matters.

As the country prepares for the upcoming general election, the Speaker’s decision serves as a reminder of the need for parliamentarians to prioritize the national interest and conduct themselves with honor, empathy, and humility.