Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has expressed disappointment with Speaker Alban S.K. Bagbin for the abrupt adjournment of Parliament Sine Die on Tuesday, July 31, 2024, while many government business items were still pending.
Afenyo-Markin emphasized that decisions regarding adjournment and reopening of Parliament should be made in consultation with both sides of the House.
Lack of Consultation
In an interview following the unexpected adjournment, Afenyo-Markin stressed that the decision to adjourn was not purely administrative but should involve consensus among the House’s members.
“In this chamber of Parliament, we proceed on matters, reach consensus, and take decisions. I do not think that the issue about adjournment and the reopening of Parliament is purely administrative,” he stated.
He argued that both sides must agree on set dates, triggering the necessary procedures to recall and reopen Parliament.
Afenyo-Markin acknowledged the constraints faced by Speaker Bagbin, given that the first and second deputy speakers were out of the jurisdiction.
However, he pointed out that parliamentary rules allow a member to preside in such circumstances and emphasized the importance of prioritizing government business over international engagements.
The Majority Leader recounted that he was at a meeting with other parliamentary leaders to discuss pending business when they realized the Speaker was about to adjourn the session.
“We suddenly realized that Mr. Speaker was about to adjourn sine die. Surprisingly, he did not give his closing remarks, nor did he allow leaders to make certain remarks, which have become part of the practice of Parliament,” Afenyo-Markin explained.
Despite his disappointment, Afenyo-Markin expressed respect for the Speaker’s position and indicated the Majority’s intention to engage their caucus to procure the necessary signatories to recall the House. “We will not act in a manner disrespectful to the chair except to say that we vehemently disagree with the unilateral decision to adjourn the House sine die. This is democracy, and we have to use the tools of democracy to achieve a means,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Majority Leader has invoked Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Order 53 of Parliament to request the Speaker to recall the House to address urgent government business.
The urgency of these matters, he said, necessitates reconvening the House to fulfil its constitutional mandate and serve the interests of the Ghanaian people.