The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has asked Speaker of the House of Representatives Alban Bagbin to call a meeting of Parliament to examine some "high priority" issues, but the opposition MPs have written to the head of the legislature to reject this request.
In a memo to the Speaker of Parliament dated Monday, November 25, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs, who identified themselves as the “NDC Majority Caucus” in Parliament, claimed that the request by the NPP MPs did not adhere to the constitutional and procedural requirements outlined in Article 112(3) and Standing Order 53(1) of Parliament. The message was written by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the head of the NDC MPs in Parliament, who stated that the recall request from the NPP MPs did not reach the required level.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, the petitioner is requesting that you exercise your discretion in calling a recall of Parliament to address what they have described as a "high priority" government issue. The aforementioned businesses were then listed. "With all due respect, Mr. Speaker, we would want to argue that since the petitioner has made this request, you are not obligated to recall Parliament. Additionally, the petitioner has not demonstrated that there is an emergency or urgent government situation that necessitates a recall of Parliament, with only eleven (11) days remaining before the significant general election in 2024, the document said in part.
Any recall must adhere to specific legal standards, which have not been met in this case, Dr. Forson emphasized. In his memo, Dr. Forson urged Speaker Bagbin to exercise his judgment and reject the NPP MPs' petition, arguing that the idea violated Parliament's standing norms and that there were no compelling reasons for an urgent House reconvening. On November 21, the NPP MPs petitioned Speaker Alban Bagbin to request for an immediate recall of Parliament in order to discuss crucial government matters. Dr. Forson's statement, however, reflects the opposition's viewpoint and calls into question the necessity and constitutionality of the recall.