Urgent Government Business: NPP Caucus Calls for Parliamentary Recall

LATEST NEWS: NPP Caucus Triggers Parliamentary Recall to Address Urgent Government Business

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Caucus in Parliament has formally requested the Speaker of Parliament to recall the House in order to address urgent government matters. A memorandum submitted to the Speaker by Alex Tetteh Djornobuah, the Second Deputy Majority Chief Whip and MP for Sefwi Akontombra, emphasized the need to deliberate on key issues, including the consideration of six bills and tax exemptions for beneficiaries under the One District, One Factory Programme.

Among the pressing concerns is the approval of a $250 million International Development Association facility intended to operationalize the Ghana Financial Stability Fund. The six bills listed for consideration include the Environmental Protection Agency Bill, 2024, the Social Protection Bill, 2023, the Customs (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Budget Bill, 2023, the Ghana Boundary Commission Bill, 2023, and the Intestate Succession Bill, 2022.

The request to summon Parliament is based on legal provisions, including Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution, which allows 15% of MPs to request a meeting. Djornobuah noted that Parliament had adjourned indefinitely last week without explanation, despite important government business being scheduled for discussion.

The move comes after the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, adjourned Parliament due to legal uncertainties over the composition of the House following a Supreme Court ruling regarding the vacant seats of four MPs. The NPP Caucus argued that the Speaker’s decision disrupted critical government business and now seeks to reconvene Parliament to fulfill its constitutional duties. The Speaker has seven days to issue a summons.

Recommended Articles: