The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has announced plans to recall Parliament in early November after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus submitted a petition requesting the House’s reconvening to address pressing issues. Speaker Bagbin disclosed this during a meeting with a Council of State delegation led by Chairman Nana Otuo Siriboe II, who visited to gain insight into recent legislative developments and the indefinite adjournment of Parliament.
A statement from the Parliamentary Service reported that following extensive discussions, Council members expressed their commitment to aiding the Speaker and House leadership in resolving any obstacles to a swift recall of Parliament. Speaker Bagbin reassured the delegation of his dedication to Ghana’s democracy, explaining that he had recently adjourned Parliament due to a lack of quorum, combined with a Supreme Court injunction regarding four vacant seats.
The Speaker also confirmed that he would attend the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference in Sydney, Australia, from November 3 to 8, where he is scheduled to step down as CPA International President. Despite this, he plans to return to Ghana earlier than anticipated due to Parliament’s upcoming recall. The Ghanaian delegation for the conference includes notable figures such as former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, alongside House leaders, Whips, and other Parliamentary Service officials.
Speaker Bagbin’s decision to suspend Parliament indefinitely followed his October 17 declaration that four parliamentary seats were vacant, citing legal disputes over the members’ status. This action shifted the balance in Parliament, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus asserting a majority claim, as two of the vacant seats were previously held by NPP members who are now running independently in the upcoming December elections, while one seat belongs to an independent candidate supported by the NPP, and the fourth to an NDC member.
In response to the Speaker’s declaration, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, filed a Supreme Court petition to prevent any ruling on the four seats, further complicating the situation. On October 30, the Supreme Court declined Speaker Bagbin’s request to overturn its order suspending the vacant seats decision and scheduled a judgment for November 11 on the Afenyo-Markin application.
The Council of State commended Speaker Bagbin for his leadership in upholding Ghana’s democratic principles and encouraged him to continue his work in the best interest of the nation. Notably, Speaker Bagbin recently began a second term as President of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures, further reinforcing his influential role in Ghanaian and African legislative affairs.
