The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has indefinitely adjourned the sitting of the House, citing insufficient quorum to make decisions.
During the parliamentary session, the Speaker clarified the reasons for the adjournment. He affirmed that while Parliament had the numbers to conduct general business, they did not meet the constitutional threshold to make binding decisions.
Speaker Bagbin cited Article 102 of the Constitution, which states, “A quorum of Parliament, apart from the person presiding, shall be one-third of all the members of Parliament.”
He assured that the present attendance met this requirement, noting that “the numbers are far above one-third of the members of Parliament.”
However, the critical issue, according to Speaker Bagbin is in Article 104, which governs decision-making in the House. This article, he noted mandates that to make decisions, at least half of the members of Parliament must be present.
“Honourable members, we don’t have at least half of all the members of parliament present. Consequently, in view of the current circumstances, the fact that there’s a question on the composition and constitution of parliament and having regard to the public interests and the exigencies of the state of affairs in parliament, I will proceed to, in accordance with standing orders 59, adjourn the house indefinitely, that is sine die”.
Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin
The backdrop to this adjournment stems from Speaker Bagbin’s controversial declaration of four parliamentary seats vacant, causing significant political tension between the NDC and NPP Caucuses in Parliament over which side is the majority.
Following his pronouncement, the Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency and NPP Leader of Parliament sought intervention from the Supreme Court, which on Friday issued a stay of execution on the Speaker’s declaration, pending further legal proceedings.
Consultation with the Leadership of Parliament
In light of this, Speaker Bagbin further explained his decision to adjourn Parliament indefinitely.
Citing Standing Orders 59, he stated, “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.”
The Speaker confirmed that he had consulted with parliamentary leadership before exercising his discretion to suspend the meeting of the House indefinitely, adding that the “current circumstances” demanded such action.
The indefinite adjournment, also known as a “sine die” adjournment, leaves Parliament in a state of uncertainty, especially with important legislative business at a standstill.
In a further development, reports suggest that the Speaker has instructed his lawyers to file a writ at the Supreme Court to set aside the ruling that granted the stay of execution on his pronouncement regarding the vacant seats.
The Speaker’s move underscores the deepening tensions in Parliament as both the legislative and judicial arms of government wrestle over the status of key parliamentary seats.
This legal battle could have far-reaching implications on the composition and functioning of Parliament in the coming weeks, as both sides await a final ruling on the matter.
Speaker Bagbin’s decision to adjourn Parliament indefinitely underscores the growing complexities surrounding the composition of the legislative body and the ongoing power struggle between Ghana’s Parliament and the judiciary.
With no clear indication of when the House will reconvene, attention now shifts to the courts, where the fate of the disputed parliamentary seats will ultimately be decided.
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