Parliament to reconvene on November 7

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has summoned the House to reconvene on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 10:00 AM.

The session will take place at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre, where lawmakers will return to critical discussions that have been stalled for several weeks.

The decision to reconvene follows a protracted impasse triggered by a ruling from the Speaker regarding vacant seats in Parliament. Speaker Bagbin had declared the seats for Fomena, Amenfi Central, Suhum, and Agona West vacant, igniting fierce backlash from the Majority caucus, which argued that the Speaker’s actions undermined their representation.

In a significant development, the Supreme Court intervened, issuing a stay on the Speaker’s declaration after Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin filed a writ ahead of the Speaker’s decision.

This ruling effectively reinstated the contested seats temporarily and highlighted the ongoing tensions between the Majority and Minority factions in Parliament.

The situation escalated further when the Speaker adjourned sitting after the Minority caucus took control of the Majority side of the House, capitalizing on their numerical advantage due to the Speaker’s ruling.

This unprecedented move raised concerns about the operational integrity of Parliament and the need for a swift resolution to restore order.

In response to the continuing stalemate, the Majority triggered a recall of Parliament. Their insistence on reconvening was prompted by urgent legislative matters requiring immediate attention.