The Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, has requested an extraordinary session of Parliament to address critical government business. This comes just a day after Parliament adjourned sine die on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
According to Afenyo-Markin, the request is made in accordance with Article 112(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992, and Standing Order 53 of the Parliament of Ghana.
“We hereby formally request an Extraordinary Session of Parliament,” he stated in a letter to the Speaker of Parliament.
The urgent matters that necessitate the recall of Parliament include a Motion on the Financing Agreement between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association for an amount of $250 million for the Ghana Energy Sector Recovery Programme
Additionally, there is a Request for Tax Exemptions for designated beneficiaries under the One District, One Factory Programme and the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, an International Development Association facility of $250 million.
Several bills are also slated for consideration, including the Budget Bill, 2023, Rent Bill, 2023, University of Local Governance and Development Bill, 2024, Environmental Protection Bill, 2024, Social Protection Bill, 2024, and the Intestate Succession Bill, 2022 .
Afenyo-Markin emphasized that the adjournment of Parliament on July 30 left several critical items unresolved, necessitating their reconvening to fulfill their constitutional mandate and serve the interests of the Ghanaian people.
“Mr Speaker will recall that Parliament adjourned sine die, on Tuesday, 30 July 2024, at which time the aforementioned items had been duly advertised and scheduled for consideration”
He further stated that the urgency of these matters necessitates their reconvening to fulfill their constitutional mandate and serve the interests of the Ghanaian people.
“We wish to emphasise that this requisition is made in the utmost good faith and in the national interest, to enable the Government to discharge its constitutional and democratic obligations to the people of Ghana”
The extraordinary session is expected to convene within seven days, as stipulated by Article 112(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992, and Standing Order 53 of the Parliament of Ghana.
Story by: Michael Seh
