Alban Bagbin is the Speaker of Parliament
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has declined a request by the NPP Caucus for the recall of MPs for two days to attend to urgent government businesses.
According to Bagbin, in a memo to the caucus, on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, summoning the House just a few days before the elections would not be in the nation’s best interest.
He explained that the parliamentary calendar acknowledges election campaign periods, during which the government and Members of Parliament present their manifestos and hold themselves accountable to Ghanaians for the mandate they have been given.
“Again as you are aware, the parliamentary calendar acknowledges elections campaign periods. 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 the voters for the four-year term of office has been applied to the benefit of the people,” parts of the memo read.
Bagbin further noted that the proposed two days (November 28 and 29) suggested by the Leader of Government Business, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, would not be sufficient for the house to address the twenty-two urgent items on the agenda.
“It is worth noting that having regard to the practice and deliberations of the House, I wonder how the proposed twenty-two items could be transacted within two days.
“The national interest would better be served if members exhibit conduct of honour, empathy, and humility in the performance of their duties. In the circumstances, I am neither inclined nor disposed to exercise my discretion in favour of your request. The request is accordingly declined,” he stated.
In conclusion, Alban Bagbin said that the “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.”
The Speaker’s response comes after the New Patriotic Party Caucus in Parliament appealed for an emergency recall to address pressing government business.
Read the full statement below:
