Recalling parliament was in bad faith – Speaker criticises Majority
On September 3, 2024, 3:52 PM
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has criticised the Majority in Parliament over the emergency recall of the House.
On July 31, 2024, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, petitioned the Speaker, pursuant to Article 112(3) to recall the House following an indefinite adjournment on July 30.
The Majority Leader said the House needed to sit to facilitate the discussion of critical government matters.
Speaking on the first session of the two-day emergency sitting, Mr Bagbin said the Majority acted in bad faith by recalling the house a day after adjournment.
“Despite the efforts of the house, some businesses could not be completed and I indicated to the house my no objection to the house being recalled to mid-September under article 112(3). To exercise this option immediately a day after this adjournment is, to say the least, unfortunate and in bad faith,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the frequent use of Article 112(3), emphasizing that while the provisions are clear, there needs to be a broader consideration of the context in which they operate.
Meanwhile, Mr Afenyo-Markin insisted that the recall was needed to take care of important government business.
“Mr Speaker the request as I made in a humble prayer was to enable this House to undertake some urgent assignment. I humbly submit, Rt Hon Speaker that the application was well grounded in good faith despite the disagreement,” he said.
The important state business includes the Financing Agreement between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association, requests for Tax Exemptions for designated beneficiaries under the One District, One Factory Programme, the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, and certain bills.
The Minority in Parliament, on the other reiterated its opposition to the tax exemptions during the proceeding.
Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said “The NDC minority has not changed our position on these tax exemptions, they are not in the best interest of Ghanaians”.
