COVID-19 forces parliament to shut down

Parliament is expected to remain closed for the next three weeks due to rising cases of COVID-19 in the House.

The number of infections increased to 17 legislators and more than 150 parliamentary staff in the last few weeks.

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, who announced the closure on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, indicated that they could resume on March 2, 2021, depending on prevailing conditions.

However, the Appointments Committee of Parliament is allowed to meet and screen ministerial nominees by President Nana Akufo-Addo who are expected to form the next government.

The vetting is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, February 10, 2021.