The NDC ‘Majority Caucus’ in Parliament has urged Speaker Alban Bagbin to reject the NPP’s request to recall Parliament.
The NDC argued that the NPP has not met the required threshold under Article 112 (3) of the Constitution and Order 53(1) of the Standing Orders.
According to the ‘Majority Caucus’, these rules require the signatures of fifteen percent of Members of Parliament to trigger a recall.
In a statement, the NDC emphasized that, according to the petitioner’s request, the Speaker is not obligated to recall Parliament.
The party also pointed out that the petitioner has failed to show any emergency or urgent government business that would justify a recall, especially with only eleven days left before the critical 2024 General Election.
“Having had a distinguished parliamentary career spanning over three decades, Rt. Hon. Speaker, you are very familiar with the demands and rigors of parliamentary elections. As we speak, members of parliament from both sides are in their constituencies having critical engagements with the electorate ahead of the December 7th election. This election is not only a destiny-defining election for Ghana but a career-defining one for many members of Parliament.
“Rt. Hon. Speaker, the petitioner has proposed Thursday, 28 November, and Friday, 29th November 2024 as the dates for this 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”.
NDC ‘Majority Caucus’
The NDC further argued that if the proposed two-day sitting is allowed, Members of Parliament will have less than one week to wrap up their campaigns, train polling agents, and finalize essential election-day logistics.
The Majority also asserted that this would put many MPs at a disadvantage and deemed it an unfair situation. “Mr. Speaker would recall that this is the fourth time in 2024 alone that the NPP parliamentary caucus is requesting an urgent recall of Parliament”.
The NDC caucus also pointed out that in previous urgent meetings, many of the items listed as urgent government business were ultimately abandoned.
They noted that during a similar recall on Thursday, November 7, 2024, the NPP parliamentary caucus, which requested the recall, failed to show up. As a result, no government business was transacted.
NDC Highlights NPP’s Failure to Mobilize MPs
Furthermore, the NDC Majority Caucus pointed out that the NPP parliamentary caucus failed to mobilize up to thirty members to transact business in the chamber.
This lack of attendance led to their failure to show up, and Mr. Speaker was ultimately forced to adjourn the House indefinitely.
The NDC emphasized that, given these circumstances, there is no urgent government business before the House to justify an immediate recall.
The party noted that the current Parliament will remain in session until midnight on January 6, 2025. Therefore, Parliament can reconvene after the December 7 General Elections to address the scheduled business.
“In less than two weeks, Ghanaians will be going to the polls to elect a President and members of Parliament. Both the electorate and those running for office must be accorded these few remaining days to engage meaningfully so that the people of Ghana can make an informed choice.
“Rt. Hon. Speaker, this recall that is being requested is ill-timed and will constitute a needless drain on the Ghanaian taxpayer. We therefore respectfully urge you to reject this call in the national interest”.
NDC ‘Majority Caucus’
The NDC argued that with just eleven days remaining before the elections, recalling the House now would only exacerbate the ongoing stalemate.
They emphasized the importance of avoiding any actions that could disrupt the peace and stability of the country. Instead, the focus should be on ensuring credible, peaceful, free, and fair elections.
The NDC proposed holding a leadership meeting after the elections to resolve the stalemate and agree on an appropriate date to recall the House to address any pending government business. “Please accept, Rt. Hon Speaker, assurances of our highest esteem”.
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