Members of Parliament from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Majority Caucus have formally requested the Speaker of Parliament to summon an emergency parliamentary sitting to deliberate on several critical national matters.
The request, signed by the requisite number of MPs, was submitted by the Second Deputy Majority Chief Whip under Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Order 53 of Parliament’s Standing Orders.
In a Memo, the Majority MPs emphasized that the matters at hand are of “utmost national importance” and require immediate parliamentary attention.
Among the urgent issues to be discussed are tax exemptions for beneficiaries under the One District, One Factory programme, the approval of a $250 million facility from the International Development Association for the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, and several key bills.
The proposed bills up for consideration include the Environmental Protection Agency Bill, 2024; the Social Protection Bill, 2023; the Customs (Amendment) Bill, 2024; the Budget Bill, 2023; the Ghana Boundary Commission Bill, 2023; and the Intestate Succession Bill, 2022.
According to the Memo, Parliament was adjourned sine die (indefinitely) on October 22, 2024, with several of these items still pending, leaving significant government business unattended.
The Second Deputy Majority Whip stressed that the urgency of these matters necessitates swift parliamentary action.
The Memo draws attention to Article 112(3) of the Constitution, which mandates the Speaker to summon Parliament within seven days if requested by 15% of its members. Additionally, Standing Order 53(1) reiterates this constitutional obligation, requiring the Speaker to act on such a request.
The Whip further emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The matters outlined herein are of pressing importance and require the urgent attention of Parliament.”
They urged the Speaker to convene Parliament promptly to ensure that the government can meet its democratic and constitutional duties to the people of Ghana.
The request urged the Speaker to summon the House within the seven-day period mandated by law.
The MPs expressed their readiness to provide further clarification if needed, reaffirming that their request was made in “good faith and in the national interest.”