The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on Speaker Alban Bagbin to reject a request from the Majority Caucus to reconvene Parliament, following its indefinite adjournment earlier this month.
The request, submitted by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin in a memo dated November 22, 2024, proposes that Parliament reconvenes on November 28 and 29. The House had been adjourned on November 7 due to the absence of an agenda from the Business Committee, as noted by Speaker Bagbin at the time.
In a counter-memo dated November 25, 2024, Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson challenged the validity of the recall, arguing it fails to meet constitutional and procedural requirements. Specifically, he cited Article 112(3) of the Constitution and Order 53(1) of the Standing Orders, which mandate that at least 15% of Members of Parliament must support a recall for it to be considered.
Beyond procedural concerns, the Minority raised practical and logistical objections. Describing the recall as “ill-fated and ill-timed,” they argued that reconvening Parliament would disrupt MPs’ ongoing engagements with their constituents and impose significant challenges on those traveling from remote areas.
The Minority also questioned the urgency of the recall, asserting that the Majority Caucus has not demonstrated any pressing national emergency or critical government business to justify the request. They warned that granting the recall could establish a troubling precedent, potentially allowing parliamentary procedures to be misused in the future.
In their appeal to Speaker Bagbin, the Minority emphasized the importance of upholding fairness and propriety in parliamentary processes, urging him to dismiss the recall request.