Parliament To Reconvene On December 16, Announces Speaker Bagbin

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has scheduled Parliament to reconvene on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 10 a.m. The announcement comes after Bagbin previously declined a request from Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to recall the House earlier to address a backlog of urgent legislative business.

In his December 2 statement, Bagbin explained that the new date allows parliamentarians who are contesting the December 7 general elections sufficient time to engage with their constituents. He noted that the recall complies with Order 58 of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana, which permits the Speaker to summon the House when necessary. Details regarding the session’s venue will be shared with members soon.

The Speaker’s earlier decision to reject the NPP’s request was backed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus, who argued that an earlier recall was unnecessary and poorly timed. However, with the new date set, Bagbin has emphasized his commitment to completing essential legislative work before the year’s end.

The announcement has drawn mixed reactions. Some have praised the Speaker’s adherence to parliamentary rules, while others have expressed concern over the delay in addressing pressing government business. As Parliament prepares to resume, the focus will be on how efficiently it handles its outstanding legislative agenda to ensure a smooth transition into the ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

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