Speaker summons Parliament to meet on September 3
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called for a special session of Parliament on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, following a petition by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Majority Caucus.
The recall is to address urgent government business, with the specific venue for the meeting to be communicated later due to ongoing renovation works in the parliamentary chamber.
Urgency amid renovations
In a statement, Speaker Bagbin acknowledged the difficulty of finding an alternative venue on short notice, citing concerns over impracticality, cost, and unnecessary strain on public funds.
He emphasized that the request for the recall was brought under Article 112 (3) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, which mandate the Speaker to summon Parliament within seven days upon receiving a request from at least 15% of Members of Parliament.
Balancing constitutional duties and practical realities
Speaker Bagbin explained that while the constitutional provisions were clear, they were intended to be invoked under normal circumstances when Parliament is on recess and urgent national matters arise.
He stressed the importance of allowing MPs sufficient time to attend to their constituency duties, which are vital to the democratic process.
Frequent recalls, he warned, could disrupt this balance and diminish the effectiveness of MPs’ service to their constituents.
Concerns over pending business
The Speaker highlighted that many of the issues prompting the recall, including the $250 million International Development Association (IDA) financing agreement, had already been debated and rejected by Parliament before its adjournment on July 30, 2024.
He noted that several bills listed in the recall request are still under committee consideration, raising questions about the necessity of the recall.
Logistical challenges and compliance issues
Given the ongoing renovations in the parliamentary chamber, Speaker Bagbin acknowledged the challenges of adhering strictly to the seven-day requirement for convening Parliament.
He noted that reconditioning the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) to host the session would require additional time. As a result, he has set the meeting for September 3, with the exact venue to be announced once confirmed. Speaker Bagbin reassured the public of his commitment to faithfully discharge his duties as Speaker, while navigating the logistical and constitutional complexities surrounding the recall of Parliament.
