The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on Speaker Alban Bagbin to reject a request from the Majority Caucus to recall the House.
The request, submitted by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin in a memo dated November 22, 2024, proposes reconvening Parliament on November 28 and 29. This follows the indefinite adjournment of the House on November 7, a decision made by Speaker Bagbin due to the absence of a prepared agenda from the Business Committee.
However, in a memo dated November 25, 2024, Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, on behalf of the Minority Caucus, opposed the recall, citing procedural and constitutional deficiencies. The Minority argued that the request failed to meet the requirements of Article 112 (3) of the Constitution and Order 53(1) of the Standing Orders, which mandate the signatures of at least 15 percent of Members of Parliament to validate such a request.
The Minority also questioned the timing and necessity of the recall, describing it as “ill-fated and ill-timed.” They expressed concern that approving the request would disrupt MPs’ engagements with their constituents and pose logistical challenges for those traveling from remote areas to Accra.
The Minority dismissed the recall’s urgency, arguing that the Majority Caucus had not provided evidence of any pressing national emergency or critical government business requiring immediate attention.
They urged Speaker Bagbin to uphold fairness and propriety in his decision, cautioning that granting the request could set a dangerous precedent for the misuse of parliamentary procedures in the future.
