The Majority caucus in Parliament has called on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to reconvene parliament.
On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, Parliament adjourned Sine die. During its third meeting of the fourth session, the House passed several bills, including the Affirmative Action, Gender Equity Bill 2024, the Ghana Shippers Authority Bill 2024, and the National Service Authority Bill 2024.
The Minister for Finance, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, also presented the 2024 Mid-Year Budget Review during the meeting.
However, the House was indefinitely adjourned by Mr Bagbin on Tuesday after the minority caucus won a voice vote against the approval of a $250 million loan facility for the Ghana Energy Sector Recovery Programme.
The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, expressed the caucus’s disagreement with the Speaker’s unilateral decision to adjourn the house.
In a letter representing the caucus, Mr Afenyo-Markin appealed to Mr Bagbin to recall the house, stating that “We respectfully request that, upon recall of the House, the following urgent Government Business be deliberated upon and transacted: Motion on the Financing Agreement between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association for an amount of Two Hundred and Fifty Million United States Dollars (US$250,000,000) for the Ghana Energy Sector Recovery Programme. Request for Tax Exemptions for designated beneficiaries under the One District, One Factory Programme.”
“Ghana Financial Stability Fund, an International Development Association facility of Two Hundred and Fifty Million United States Dollars (US$250,000,000). Bills: Budget Bill, 2023; Rent Bill, 2023; University of Local Governance and Development Bill, 2024; Environmental Protection Bill, 2024; Social Protection Bill, 2024; Intestate Succession Bill, 2022; Chartered Institute of Reconstruction and Insolvency Practitioners Bill, 2023;. Ghana Industrial Property Office Bill, 2024 and the National Petroleum Authority Bill, 2024.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin pointed out that Parliament was adjourned when the aforementioned items had been duly advertised and scheduled for consideration.
“The urgency of these matters necessitates our reconvening to fulfil our constitutional mandate and serve the interests of the Ghanaian people,” he added.
Mr Afenyo-Markin further stressed that the request was made in the utmost good faith and in the national interest, to enable the government to fulfil its constitutional and democratic obligations to Ghanaians.
“The matters outlined herein are of pressing importance and require the urgent attention of Parliament,” he added.
