Alexander Afenyo-Markin
The Majority Caucus in Parliament has formally requested an emergency meeting to address critical national issues.
This comes a day after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin adjourned the House indefinitely, citing the Supreme Court ruling and concerns about the current quorum of the House.
In a memo dated October 22, 2024, the Second Deputy Majority Chief Whip, Alex Tetteh Djornobuah, submitted the request to the Speaker of Parliament, invoking Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Order 53 of the Parliamentary Standing Orders.
The letter, signed by the required number of Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Majority Caucus, emphasised the urgency of convening Parliament to address pressing government business.
It called on Speaker Bagbin to summon the House within seven days, as stipulated by constitutional provisions.
Legal Basis
The memo outlined the legal grounds for the request, drawing attention to Article 112(3) of the Constitution, which grants 15% of MPs the right to request a parliamentary meeting.
This constitutional clause mandates the Speaker to summon Parliament within seven days of receiving such a request.
The memo also referred to Standing Orders 53(1) and 57(3), which reinforce the Speaker’s duty to call a meeting within this timeframe, especially in cases of national urgency.
Urgent Matters
Upon the recall of Parliament, the Majority Caucus said the issues for discussion and action include tax exemptions for beneficiaries under the One District One Factory (1D1F), an International Development Association facility amounting to $250 million, and some bills.
The memo said among the bills for consideration are the Environmental Protection Agency Bill (2024), Social Protection Bill (2023), Customs (Amendment) Bill (2024), Budget Bill (2023), Ghana Boundary Commission Bill (2023), and Intestate Succession Bill (2022).
The Majority Caucus said these items had been scheduled for deliberation before Parliament was adjourned sine die on October 22, 2024, without explanation.
The Caucus underscored the need for immediate action to ensure that these critical matters are addressed in the interest of national governance and development.
Context and Justification
The Majority Caucus indicated that these pressing matters are crucial for the government to fulfil its constitutional and democratic obligations.
The memo pointed out that the proposed bills and financial matters, particularly the tax exemptions and the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, are essential to stabilising the economy and promoting sustainable development across various sectors.
The memo again referenced a recent Supreme Court order, which had been confirmed by the Speaker during a parliamentary meeting, to emphasise the constitutional and procedural imperatives behind their request.
Immediate Action
The Majority Caucus reiterated their commitment to the national interest, urging the Speaker to convene Parliament within the constitutionally mandated seven-day period.
They expressed their readiness to provide further clarification if needed, underscoring the importance of prompt parliamentary action to address the outlined issues.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House