By Christopher Arko
Accra, Sept. 03, GNA – The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has stated that the decision by the Majority Caucus to recall parliament a day after recess was an act in bad faith,
According to him, matters raised by the majority side for the emergency recall could have been attended to before the House went on break.
His comment follows the resumption of an emergency sitting of Parliament today after the majority caucus triggered Article 112 (3) of the constitution.
Despite his misgivings, he has admitted three critical items for consideration during the two-day emergency sitting starting September 3, 2024.
The items for deliberation include a $250 million energy sector loan agreement, another $250 million loan agreement for the Ghana Stability Fund, and tax exemptions.
In an address to the House, Speaker Bagbin also expressed concern about the frequent use of Article 112 (3) of the constitution for an emergency recall of the House describing the move as unfortunate.
He emphasised that while the provisions were clear, there was the need for a broader consideration of the context in which they operated, suggesting that Parliament should legislate to establish preconditions under which this article could be applied.
He cautioned against turning Article 112(3) into a tool to keep Parliament in continuous session, which could prevent MPs from performing other constitutional functions.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, in a comment, insisted that his side was still opposed to granting tax waivers up to the tune of $250 million for the 1D1F.
The Minority Leader reiterated the call of the National Democratic Congress for a forensic audit into the voters’ register with the explanation that the electoral roll was not fit for the purpose
Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader on his part justified the decision to trigger the emergency recall, adding that the application was made in good faith contrary to the assertion of the speaker.
He refuted the claims of the Minority Leader as unfortunate for describing the tax waiver as freebies to families and friends of the government and urged the Minority to support the approval of the $250 million loan agreement and the tax waiver to help the local industries under the 1D1F.
Mr Afenyo-Markin announced that the measures being implemented by the government were to bring relief to Ghanaians.
GNA