Parliament to Reconvene on December 16, Speaker Bagbin Announces

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has announced that Parliament will reconvene on Monday, December 16, 2024, for the seventh meeting of the fourth session of the eighth Parliament.

In a notice issued on December 2, Speaker Bagbin informed Members of Parliament (MPs) that the venue for the meeting would be communicated at a later date.

“Pursuant to Order 58 of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana, I hereby give notice that the seventh meeting of the fourth session of the eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic shall commence on Monday, the 16th day of December 2024, at ten o’clock in the forenoon at a place to be appointed by the Speaker in due course,” the statement read.

This meeting will take place after the December 7 general elections, during which new MPs from both the Majority and Minority sides will be chosen.

The announcement follows Speaker Bagbin’s earlier refusal to recall Parliament on November 28 and 29, despite a request from Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to address pressing matters. Bagbin maintained that parliamentary activities would remain suspended until the elections were concluded.

The break in proceedings was initially attributed to the absence of a prepared agenda from the Business Committee.

Adding to the recent parliamentary developments, the Supreme Court on November 12 overturned Speaker Bagbin’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant. The court ruled that a parliamentary seat could only be declared vacant if an MP switched political parties while maintaining their parliamentary position.

The ruling, delivered by a majority of five justices, clarified that the Speaker’s decision could not take effect within the current parliamentary term. However, two dissenting justices argued that the Court lacked jurisdiction over the matter, highlighting differing interpretations of its authority.

Parliament’s upcoming session is expected to address critical legislative and governance issues in the aftermath of the elections.