Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has called for a parliamentary session to convene on Tuesday, September 3, with the location and venue to be announced as soon as arrangements are finalized.
The Speaker’s recall of Parliament was prompted by a petition from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Majority Caucus, seeking an emergency session to address pressing government matters that require the House’s attention.
He said due to the ongoing renovation of the Parliament Chamber, finding a suitable alternative venue at short notice poses significant logistical and financial challenges, making it impractical and an unnecessary burden on both Parliament and public resources.
Speaker Bagbin in a statement, said: “The request before me was brought pursuant to Article 112 (3) of the Constitution and Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, and not Article 113, which deals with emergency matters”.
Article 112 (3) of the 1992 Constitution provides that: “Notwithstanding any other provision in this article, fifteen percent of members of Parliament may request a meeting of Parliament and the Speaker shall, within seven days after the receipt of the request, summon Parliament.”
Similarly, Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament reinforces this constitutional provision by stating that: “Despite any other provision, 15 per cent of Members of Parliament may request a meeting of Parliament and the Speaker shall, within seven days after the receipt of the request, summon Parliament. Parliament shall convene within seven days after the issuance of the notice of summon.”
Speaker Bagbin emphasized that although the provisions are straightforward and unequivocal, it’s crucial to interpret them within the larger context and purpose for which they were established, rather than relying solely on their literal meaning.
Speaker Bagbin explained that Article 112 was intended for use during regular recess periods when a pressing national issue requires parliamentary attention.
He emphasized the importance of allowing MPs sufficient time to attend to their constituency responsibilities, a critical aspect of democratic representation.
If MPs are frequently recalled for sessions that could be scheduled during regular parliamentary sessions, it would disrupt the balance between parliamentary duties and constituency work, rendering their service to constituents ineffective and meaningless.
Speaker Bagbin cautioned that a strict, literal interpretation of Article 112 (3) and Order 53, without regard for their intended context and purpose, could result in a situation where Parliament is unnecessarily kept in continuous session, leading to an absurd and unsustainable scenario that undermines the effectiveness of the legislative body.
Speaker Bagbin pointed out that many of the pressing matters, such as the $250 million IDA financing agreement, were already presented to Parliament before it adjourned on July 30, 2024, and therefore could have been addressed during the regular session rather than necessitating a recall.
Speaker Bagbin argued that the request for a recall is unwarranted since these matters, including the IDA Financing Agreement, were already being considered by Parliament and had even been debated and rejected, rendering the recall unnecessary and lacking in justification.
Speaker Bagbin argued that the request for a recall is unwarranted since these matters, including the IDA Financing Agreement, were already being considered by Parliament and had even been debated and rejected, rendering the recall unnecessary and lacking in justification.
Speaker Bagbin explained that complying with the seven-day deadline for convening Parliament, as stipulated in the Standing Orders, poses significant logistical challenges due to the ongoing chamber renovation and the time needed to prepare the AICC as an alternative venue.
“To address these practical concerns, and to allow sufficient time for preparations, as I intimated several times to the House before the adjournment sine die, I summon Parliament to meet on Tuesday, 3rd of September 2024, at a place and venue to be communicated as soon as one becomes available. Order 53 cannot therefore be fully complied with.”
“I assure the public that I remain committed to my Oath to inter alia “faithfully and consciously discharge my duties as Speaker of Parliament.”” He said.
Related Article: https://mikaznews.com/npps-majority-leader-afenyo-markin-requests-emergency-parliament-session-critical-issues-need-resolution/
