Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has issued a stern warning to the Majority in Parliament, criticizing their decision to recall the House from its break, which he described as acting in bad faith.
The recall was prompted by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs to address several urgent matters, including the approval of loans and taxes.
The recall was initiated by Majority Leader, Afenyo Markin, who invoked Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 53(2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament. However, during the session, Speaker Bagbin expressed his disappointment, noting that many of the items listed for consideration were not of an urgent nature.
“Despite the efforts of the House, some businesses could not be completed, and I indicated to the House my no objection to the House being recalled to mid-September under Article 112(3). To exercise this option immediately a day after this adjournment is, to say the least, unfortunate and in bad faith,” Bagbin stated.
While acknowledging that he is obligated to summon Parliament once Article 112(3) is triggered, as per the Constitution, Bagbin raised concerns about the frequent use of this article by a section of Parliament.
Speaker Bagbin cautioned against turning this article into a tool for keeping Parliament in continuous session, warning, “A frequent revocation of Article 112(3), particularly in a House such as this 8th Parliament, could pose challenges to the governance of the country. The good intentions of the drafters of the Constitution could be turned into a horror movie.”
He emphasized the need for broader consideration of the context in which these provisions operate, suggesting that Parliament should legislate preconditions under which Article 112(3) could be applied.