By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin has recalled Members of Parliament (MP) who are currently on recess to sit on Friday, May 17 2024.
Th recall notice was contained in a letter dated Friday, 10th May 2024.
The Majority Caucus in Parliament had earlier petitioned the Rt. Hon Speaker to recall the House back from its recess.
In the petition to the Rt. Hon. Speaker, they contended that a $150 million loan earmarked for financing the ongoing Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project is significant for a positive impact on the country’s economic growth.
They also aimed to address a tax exemption request for specific beneficiaries under the 1D1F Programme.
The majority led by its leader, Mr. Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin invoked Order 53 of the House’s Standing Orders, asking the speaker to recall the House.
The caucus asserted that the decision to recall Parliament from recess was made in good faith.
He intimated that Parliament’s recall is to tackle significant issues of national interest.
Speaking to journalists in parliament, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin revealed that the petition to the Speaker garnered signatures from over a hundred caucus members.
“In politics, expect disagreements but such disagreements should not obstruct us. So they have made their case we understand them but it is our view that we have our 138 as the majority and we should be able to carry government business.
The constitution talks about 15% of the total membership of parliament which if my mathematics is right is 42 but I am able to tell you on authority that we have more than 100 of our members who have signed the said prayer which is titled notice of meeting by request under Article 112(3) and order 53 of the standing orders,” the Majority leader reiterated.
The recall had become justifiable Primarily as the majority seeking to endorse the Appointments Committee’s 34th report.
