The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Caucus has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to formally request a Meeting of Parliament.
The request for recall comes barely two days after the Speaker adjourned sitting indefinitely following the House’s vacant seats controversy.
In a memo addressed to the Speaker, the NPP Parliamentary Caucus Leader, Mr. Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, said the petition is in accordance with Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Order 53 of Parliament
“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,” he wrote. “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.”
Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution states that “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) also 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.”
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.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also 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.