Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin has denied accusations of prioritizing international travels over Parliamentary business and unilaterally adjourning the Housing on Tuesday, July 30.
He described the accusations, made by Majority leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, as unfounded and made in bad faith
He noted that the decision to adjourn the House sine die on July 30, 2024, was not made in isolation but was guided by the Parliamentary Calendar of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament, which called for Parliament to adjourn at the end of July.
He stated that this schedule had been discussed on several occasions during pre-sitting meetings with the Speaker and House leaders and had been agreed upon weeks before the adjournment.
“I consistently communicated the agreed adjournment date throughout the meeting. The adjournment was neither sudden nor unilateral, as evidenced by the contents of the official reports from July 6, 11, 25, and 26, 2024,” Bagbin stated.
He emphasized that he must uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and due process and added that maintaining the dignity and integrity of Parliament, its MPs, and the staff of the Parliamentary Service is a responsibility he takes seriously.
“I have throughout my tenure as Speaker, not only sworn but committed to doing exactly that with all my heart and with all my might,” he stated.
Speaker Bagbin explained that he was duty-bound to clarify the circumstances surrounding the adjournment of the House on July 30, 2024, and to correct any erroneous impressions that may have arisen.
He stressed that at the beginning of the year, the leadership of the House and the Parliamentary Service Board had decided to retrofit the chamber in preparation for the 9th Parliament.
He noted the urgency of addressing structural defects and replacing the audio and video equipment, which had recently failed and disrupted parliamentary sittings.
The Speaker maintained that if Parliament did not undertake these renovations now, it would face significant challenges in preparing for the transition to the 9th Parliament.
“The Chamber of Parliament is being retrofitted, and upgraded, and is currently unavailable for use,” he insisted.
He clarified that the request for Parliament’s recall was based on Article 112(3) of the Constitution, not Article 113, and was therefore not related to an emergency. He suggested that the reasons stated in the recall request were misconceived and intended to mislead the public.
Due to the ongoing renovation work in the chamber and the time required to recondition the Accra International Conference Center (AICC), Speaker Bagbin stated that strictly adhering to the Standing Orders—which require Parliament to convene within seven days of notice—would impose significant practical challenges.
He explained that with the chamber under renovation, finding an alternative venue on short notice would be impractical, costly, and an unnecessary strain on Parliament and public funds.
He said, “The Speaker must weigh the broader context, such as the current logistical realities, to make an informed decision that aligns with the overarching principles of good governance and democratic integrity. This method ensures that interpretations are practically viable and reflective of contemporary needs.”
To address these practical concerns and allow sufficient time for preparations, Bagbin announced that he had summoned Parliament to meet on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at a location to be communicated once one becomes available.
He acknowledged that Order 53 could not be fully complied with in this situation.
“I assure the general public that I remain committed to my oath to faithfully and conscientiously discharge my duties as Speaker of Parliament,” he stated.