Ghana?s Parliament reconvened yesterday to conclude the business of the third meeting of the fourth session.

The House adjourned on November 5 to permit members who are seeking to renew their mandates in the general election, which was held last Tuesday, December 7, time to mount their campaigns.

The atmosphere in the House yesterday was friendly, as members from all sides of the House exchanged pleasantries, with those who had retained their seats wishing their unsuccessful colleagues ?better luck next time.?

At the commencement of business, Mr felix Owusu-Adjapong, laid before the House the ?Expenditure Authorization in advance of Appropriation? a temporary government spending programme pending the submission of the annual budget for 2005. The paper was referred to the Finance Committee for consideration.

Other matters referred to the Finance Committee were the reports on the Internal Revenue (Registration of Business) Bill and the Stamp Duty Bill.

Earlier, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, commended MPs for their election campaigns, which he said, had given ?a further boost to the sustenance of democracy in Ghana.?

He disclosed that an end-of-term ceremony would be held to honour departing Members of Parliament for the services they ad rendered to the nation during their tenure.