With less than two weeks until the December 7 election, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has refused the Majority’s request to recall the House.
In a note to the Majority on Tuesday, November 26, Speaker Bagbin stated that Parliament would reconvene after the elections to address critical issues, guaranteeing a smooth transition to the 9th Parliament of 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,” Bagbin told journalists.
Alban Bagbin responds to Majority’s recall of parliament
He emphasized the need of decorum in parliamentary procedures and urged MPs to behave in the national interest.
“The national interest would be better served if members conduct themselves with honor, empathy, and humility while doing their duties. Given the facts, I am neither inclined or disposed to use my discretion in favor of your request. “The request is accordingly declined,” he stated.
Addressing Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Speaker emphasized the parliamentary calendar’s ability to accommodate election campaign times and its importance to Ghana’s democratic process.
“This season is for the government, parties, and both presidential and parliamentary candidates to present their manifestos to the people and to account and justify how the mandate given them by voters for the four-year term of office has been applied to the benefit of the people,” according to him.
On Monday, the NDC caucus in Parliament urged the Speaker to reject the NPP MPs’ recall request.
