The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has turned down a request from Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to reconvene Parliament for a two-day session, citing concerns about national priorities and the impracticality of the proposed agenda.
In a memo dated November 26, 2024, Speaker Bagbin responded to Afenyo-Markin’s request made four days earlier, on November 22. The request sought to summon Parliament on November 28 and 29 to address 22 items described as “urgent Government Business” and “outstanding public business.”
This request came after Parliament was indefinitely adjourned on November 7, following the Speaker’s observation that the Business Committee had not prepared a clear agenda. In his reply, Bagbin stressed the importance of balancing parliamentary responsibilities with the current political campaign season, deeming the proposed sitting impractical.
He noted, “As you may be aware, the functions of Parliament and the duties of its members extend beyond plenary sessions. The parliamentary calendar also acknowledges the importance of campaign periods, a time for the Government, political parties, and candidates to present their manifestoes and account for their mandates to voters.”
Bagbin also questioned the feasibility of addressing 22 agenda items within just two days, arguing that such a rushed approach would contradict the House’s usual practices of thorough deliberation. He advised the government to prioritize its agenda for consideration after the December 7, 2024, general elections.
“The proposed twenty-two items would be challenging to transact within two days given the House’s practices and deliberative processes,” he stated. “I suggest that these businesses, along with others not listed in your memo, be addressed after the elections.”
The Speaker concluded by referencing Article 296 (a) and (b) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, emphasizing that it was in the national interest for members of Parliament to concentrate on their campaign activities at this critical time.
