Parliament was compelled to adjourn proceedings on Monday, July 15, 2024, because only 24 Members of Parliament (MPs) showed up in the House.
Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, the MP for Tamale Central, raised the issue of quorum during the session when Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh, planned to present the Ewoyaa Lithium and Bauxite agreement.
Murtala stood on Order 64 to raise a quorum and abruptly brought the business of the House, which had just begun to halt, arguing the House can’t consistently rely on the Majority to have government business executed.
“It demonstrates a lack of seriousness. I don’t think we need to give them this opportunity. They are in our constituencies campaigning, yet they expect us to execute their business for them.”
“It’s completely unacceptable. We could have also done that, we could have left this house, but we have decided to act responsibly.”
The Minority had previously threatened to disrupt parliamentary business by raising quorum issues if the Majority caucus failed to attend.
Majority Whip Annoh Dompreh, however, appealed to the Speaker to rule out the request to enable some papers to be laid.
The Speaker, Alban Bagbin, suspended the House for an hour but was compelled to adjourn the session upon return after a headcount revealed that only 24 MPs were present.
“Honourable members, head count 24, the House is adjourned,” Speaker Bagbin announced.