By Edzorna Francis Mensah
Cross section of Ghanaians on the streets of Accra, have praised the Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin for arresting a blazing situation in Parliament following his earlier decision to declare four seat vacant and Supreme Court directive in attempt to reverse his ruling on the floor of Parliament.
The Speaker in two-page ruling adjourned sine die as he announced in his communication to house on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 and suspend indefinitely “having regard to the public interest and the exigencies of the state of affairs in the country”.
Meanwhile, some citizens who spoke to gbcghanaonline.com expressed joy over the Sparkers’ decision to adjourn the house till further notice to prevent chaotic situation as both the NDC and the NPP claimed Majority position and were seen occupying the right-hand side of the Speaker in the Chamber.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, adjourned parliamentary proceedings indefinitely on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, due to a lack of quorum to make decisions.
During the brief session, Speaker, Bagbin explained that while the House had enough members present to conduct regular business, the numbers fell short of the constitutional requirement needed to pass resolutions or make decisions.
Citing Article 102 of the Constitution, he noted that a quorum for conducting business should be one-third of all Members of Parliament (MPs). However, the House did not meet the requirement under Article 104 to make binding decisions, which mandates that at least half of the MPs must be present and voting.
Below is the full statement:
FORMAL COMMUNICATION ON THE CURRENT STATE OF THE Parliament of Ghana, 22nd OCTOBER 2024
- Hon. Members, as you may recall on Thursday, I informed the House pursuant to Order 18 of the Standing Orders on the occurrence of vacancies in the House in relation to 4 Members.
- Yesterday, I received a process from the Supreme Court, which is a ruling from the Supreme Court, pursuant to an Ex Parte application, directing Parliament to recognise and allow the 4 affected Members of Parliament to duly represent their constituents and conduct full scope of duties of their offices as Members of Parliament pending final determination of a suit filed by Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markin.
- By Articles 102 and 104 of the Constitution, 1992, and Order 64(1) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, I note that we currently have a quorum to transact business but not to take decisions. Read Articles 102, 104 of the Constitution, and Standing Orders 64(1).
- Consequently, in view of the current circumstances, the fact that there is a question on the composition and constitution of Parliament and having regard to the public interest and the exigencies of the state of affairs in Parliament, I will proceed to, in accordance with Standing Orders 59(1), adjourn the House indefinitely, ie, sine die.
Standing Orders 59 (1) “The Speaker may, in consultation with leadership, suspend a meeting of the House indefinitely or for a period determined by the Speaker, having regard to the public interest and the exigencies of the state of affairs in the country. “
- Hon Members, I have consulted leadership, and I am exercising my discretion to suspend the meeting of the House indefinitely.
- The House is accordingly adjourned.