The Minority Caucus in Parliament has urged the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to dismiss a request from the Majority Caucus for the recall of the House. The request, initiated by the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, through a memo dated November 22, 2024, seeks to reconvene Parliament on November 28 and 29 after it was indefinitely adjourned on November 7.
The adjournment followed the suspension of proceedings by Speaker Bagbin, who cited the absence of a prepared agenda from the Business Committee as the reason for the break. The Minority Caucus, led by its leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, countered this recall attempt in a memo dated November 25, 2024.
Addressed to Speaker Bagbin, the Minority’s response challenged the legitimacy and procedural compliance of the Majority’s request. Ato Forson argued that the recall does not meet “the threshold and requirement under Article 112 (3) of the Constitution and Order 53(1) of the Standing Orders which require signatures of 15 percent of members of Parliament to trigger a recall of Parliament.”
Beyond the procedural arguments, the Minority raised concerns about the timing and necessity of the proposed recall. They labelled the recall request as an “ill-fated and ill-timed recall. Should this request be granted, not only will members of Parliament be required to truncate their important engagements with the electorate, but members will have to contend with logistical and other challenges to commute over long distances, difficult and hard-to-reach constituencies to Accra.”
The Minority also questioned the urgency of the recall, arguing that the petitioner, the Majority Caucus, has not demonstrated any pressing national emergency or critical government business that necessitates such action. The Minority urged the Speaker to uphold the principles of fairness and propriety in his decision, warning that granting the recall would set a precedent for future abuses of parliamentary processes.
By: Kabah Atawoge
