Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has called for a special parliamentary session to be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. This decision comes after the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, submitted a petition requesting an urgent recall of Parliament to address pressing government business.
In his response on August 7, Speaker Bagbin noted that after careful review, the issues raised in the request did not fully meet the requirements set by Article 112 of the Constitution. He highlighted that many of the matters, including the $250 million IDA financing agreement, had already been tabled before Parliament prior to its adjournment on July 30, 2024. He emphasized that since these issues were previously debated and, in some cases, rejected, the urgency of recalling Parliament was questionable.
Bagbin also pointed out that several bills listed in the recall request were still under consideration by committees and noted a lack of willingness even among members of the Majority to proceed with the same business before the adjournment.
The Speaker, citing Article 112 (1) of the Constitution, mentioned the logistical challenges of convening Parliament, including the unavailability of the House Chamber and the poor condition of the Accra International Conference Centre. He indicated that these challenges would make it difficult to determine an appropriate venue for the session.
To address these concerns and allow time for adequate preparation, Speaker Bagbin announced that Parliament will reconvene on September 3, 2024, with the location to be communicated once confirmed. He reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling his duties as Speaker and upholding the principles of good governance and democratic integrity.