‘NDC Majority Caucus’ urges Speaker to reject NPP MPs’ recall request

The ‘NDC Majority Caucus’ in Parliament has called on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to reject the recall request made by Members of Parliament (MPs) from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In a memo submitted on Monday, 25th November, and signed by their leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Caucus argued that the request failed to meet the necessary constitutional and procedural requirements set out in Article 112(3) and Standing Order 53(1) of Parliament.

Dr. Forson contended that the NPP MPs’ call for a recall did not satisfy the required threshold for such a request.

He stressed that any recall must adhere to specific legal criteria, which, in this case, had not been met.

The NDC Caucus leader further emphasised that the discretion to approve or reject the recall lies with the Speaker, particularly since the necessary threshold had not been reached.

In his memo, Dr. Forson urged Speaker Bagbin to exercise his discretion and reject the NPP MPs’ petition, arguing that the request was inconsistent with Parliament’s standing orders and that there were no compelling reasons to justify the urgent reconvening of the House.

“Respectfully, Mr. Speaker, we wish to submit that based on the petitioner’s own request, you are not obliged to recall Parliament.”

“Further, the petitioner has not demonstrated that there is any emergency nor urgent government business to warrant a recall of Parliament, with barely eleven (11) remaining days to the crucial 2024 General Election,” excerpt of the memo said.

On 22nd November, the NPP MPs had petitioned Speaker Bagbin, requesting the immediate recall of Parliament to address critical government business.

However, Dr. Forson’s response reflects the opposition’s position, questioning both the necessity and legal justification for the recall.