The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has denounced claims of unilaterally adjourning Parliament and reaffirmed his commitment to parliamentary integrity.
In a detailed statement, the Speaker explained that the request for a recall of Parliament following its adjournment on 3oth July 2024 was submitted by the Majority side, led by Hon. Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader and MP for Effutu.
He indicated that the request, received on July 31, 2024, called for an urgent parliamentary meeting pursuant to Article 112 (3) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.
“The request outlined several matters alleged to be emergencies and needed urgent consideration. I was urged, as Speaker of Parliament, to recall the House, which had been adjourned sine die, a day earlier, on the 30th of July 2024.
“Before I proceed to address the specifics of the request, I find it necessary to clarify certain issues related to the adjournment particularly as these have been raised by the Majority Leader, Hon Afenyo-Markin, at a Press Conference after the adjournment sine die”.
Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin
Clarification on Adjournment Decision
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin began by justifying the decision to adjourn Parliament sine die on July 30, 2024.
He emphasized his commitment to transparency, accountability, and due process, countering accusations that he prioritized international travel over parliamentary duties.
He pointed out that the decision to adjourn the House sine die on July 30, 2024, was not made in isolation, adding the date was informed by the Parliamentary Calendar of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament, which calls for adjournment at the end of July.
“This guide was discussed on several occasions at pre-sitting meetings of the Speaker, and Leaders and agreed to, weeks before the 30th of July 2024. As the official reports, voice, and video recordings of proceedings of the House will clearly demonstrate, I consistently communicated to the House the agreed adjournment date throughout the meeting.
“The adjournment was neither sudden nor unilateral in this regard as evidenced by the contents of the official reports of 6th, 11th, 25th, and 26th July 2024”.
Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin
Furthermore, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin stated that ahead of the adjournment, the House prioritized some agenda items and he particularly committed to sitting late hours till midnight to ensure that all the prioritized businesses are completed before the House adjourned sine die on the agreed 30th July 2024
He recounted that even though in the last three days leading up to the adjournment, the Majority Leader proposed extending the meeting to August 2, 2024, the proposal was opposed by the Minority Leaders.
According to him, the Majority Leader was reminded of a pre-scheduled conference in the United States, which required the presence of the Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Clerk to Parliament.
This conference, he noted had been agreed upon and paid for before the commencement of the parliamentary meeting.
Mr Bagbin explained that despite assurances from the Majority Leader that the Second Deputy Speaker would return by July 29 to preside, the Second Deputy Speaker did not arrive until July 31.
“Further, the attention of the Majority Leader was drawn to the state and tempo of the House and the high risk of disorder, especially as, he the Majority Leader had, as leader of Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, agreed to host a delocalized meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament at Winneba, without the knowledge of the Speaker or the Clerk to Parliament, from the 29th July to the 2nd of August 2024.
“The Majority Leader was thus visibly absent on the floor of the House, for most of the 29th and 30th of July 2024. The Second Deputy Speaker never arrived as submitted by the Majority Leader until the 31st of July after the House had adjourned sine die. While a member elected could have presided in the absence of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers, it is essential to understand that the presiding member could not have effectively handled administrative matters during this period nor presided over the House to take any substantive decision”.
Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin
Context of Recall Request
Addressing the recall request, Speaker Bagbin noted that it was based on Article 112 (3) of the Constitution, not Article 113, which pertains to emergencies.
He stressed that the issues outlined in the request, including a $250 million Financing Agreement, were already before the House prior to the recess and had been debated and rejected.
“A literal understanding of Article 112 (3) and Order 53, without considering the context and purpose behind these provisions, could lead to an absurd situation where Parliament is kept in perpetual meetings. Such a scenario would undermine parliamentary democracy, which is meant to serve the people”.
Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin
The Speaker further emphasized that at all material times, the business of the House was prioritized including the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Bill, which was handled and passed before the adjournment sine die.
Consequently, the Speaker categorically rejected what he termed as the erroneous impression created by the Hon. Majority Leader that his actions were unilateral or that he placed personal travel above his duties to the House and nation.
He stressed that the decisions taken were in the best interest of the country, and the institution of Parliament and were made with the full involvement of the leadership of Parliament.
Logistical Challenges and Next Steps
Additionally, Speaker Bagbin highlighted the practical challenges of recalling Parliament, citing ongoing renovation works in the chamber and the poor state of the Accra International Conference Centre.
He argued that strictly adhering to the seven-day notice requirement to recall Parliament upon the request would be impractical and costly.
Given the ongoing renovation works and the time required to recondition the AICC, the Speaker stated that he has summoned Parliament to meet on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at a place and venue to be communicated as soon as one becomes available.
In closing, Speaker Bagbin reaffirmed his commitment to his oath of office and to faithfully discharge his duties as Speaker of Parliament.
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