By Iddi Yire
Accra, Oct 23, GNA – The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Caucus has petitioned the Speaker to formally request a Meeting of Parliament.
The request for recall comes a day after the Speaker adjourned sitting indefinitely following the House’s vacant seats controversy.
The petition is in accordance with Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Order 53 of Parliament,
Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution states: “Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, 15 per cent of members of Parliament may request a meeting of Parliament; and the Speaker shall, within seven days after the receipt of the request, summon Parliament.”
Standing Order 53(1) states: “Despite any other provision, 15 per cent of the Members of Parliament may request a meeting of Parliament and the Speaker shall, within seven days after the receipt of the request, summon Parliament.”
Mr. Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the NPP Parliamentary Caucus Leader in a memo addressed to the Speaker said: “Respectfully, on behalf of myself and the requisite number of Members of Parliament from the Majority Caucus, I have the honour to address you on a matter of utmost national importance.
“In accordance with Article 112(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992 and Standing Order 53 of the Parliament of Ghana, we hereby formally request a Meeting of Parliament.”
It said upon recall of the House, urgent Government Business be deliberated upon and transacted including any other business that comes before the House include request for Tax Exemptions for designated beneficiaries under the One District, One Factory Programme and the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, an International Development Association facility of $250 million.
Bills to be considered are Environmental Protection Agency Bill, 2024; Social Protection Bill, 2023; Customs (Amendment) Bill, 2024; Budget Bill, 2023; Ghana Boundary Commission Bill, 2023 and the Intestate Succession Bill, 2022.
With rewards to the context and justification of the recall, it said: “As Mr. Speaker may recall, Parliament had adjourned sine die on Tuesday, 22™ October 2024 without any explanation to the circumstance leading to the adjournment.
“You may also recall that at conclave, you confirmed the service of a Supreme Court Order which was explicit. At the time, the above stated items had been advertised and scheduled to be carried.”
It reiterated that the request was made in utmost good faith and in the national interest, to enable the Government to discharge its Constitutional and Democratic obligations to the people of Ghana.
It said the matters outlined herein were of pressing importance and require the urgent attention of Parliament.
It said considering the constitutional and statutory provisions cited above and in the exercise of their rights as Members of Parliament, they respectfully urge the Speaker to summon Parliament for a Meeting within the stipulated seven-day period.
It noted that they stand ready to provide any additional information or clarification that might be required and that they look forward to the Speaker’s favourable consideration of this request.
Standing Order 53(2), further stipulates: “Parliament shall convene within seven days after the issuance of the notice of summons.”
Standing Order 57(3), provides: “The Speaker may summon a sitting of the House before the date or time to which the House has been adjourned or at any date or time after the House has been adjourned sine die.”
Standing Order 58(4), states: “The Speaker shall summon Parliament within a period determined by the Speaker and the requirement for a fourteen-day notice shall not apply where there is an emergency.”
