Speaker Bagbin slams Majority over emergency recall of Parliament

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has slammed the House Majority for triggering an emergency recall, describing the move as unfortunate and an act in bad faith. 

The Majority had on the basis of Article 112(3) of the Constitution, requested a meeting of Parliament citing outstanding urgent matters that needed to be addressed by the legislature.

However, in his opening remarks, Speaker Bagbin argued the matters for which the emergency recall was triggered could have been addressed before the House went on break in July. 

He noted that “the decision to adjourn the house on 30th June 2024 was not unilateral. This date was made by the parliamentary calendar for the 4th Session of the Eight Parliament which called for an adjournment at the end of July”.

The Speaker explained that after the “scheduled date was discussed”, he made it a point to remind the leaders of the impending date, adding that parliamentary official records would bear him out.

Despite his misgivings about the recall, Mr. Bagbin granted a two-day sitting for the matters raised to be dealt with.

On his part, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin stood by his decision to trigger a recall, noting that it was “well-grounded in good faith”.