Iddi Yire
Accra, Nov 25, GNA – The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Majority has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament for a recall of the House for the consideration of urgent Government Business from 28th to 29th November.
Mr Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, in a memo addressed to the Speaker of Parliament said the Sixth Meeting of the Fourth Session of Parliament, which was scheduled to take place on 7th November, adjourned without any consideration of Government Business.
“Mr Speaker may recall that there were a number of urgent Government Business that had been advertised and scheduled to be carried out prior to the adjournment of the House.”
These Government Business include Request for Tax Exemptions for designated beneficiaries under the One District, One Factory Programme, the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, an International Development Association facility of $250 million and Consideration of the President’s Nominations for Appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court.
The rest are Ratification of the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (Represented by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources) and the Ashanti Bauxite Company Limited for the Mining of Bauxite in the Nyinahini Block 2 Area in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region.
Others are Ratification of the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (Represented by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources) and Barari DV Ghana Limited for the Exploitation of Lithium at Ewoyaa in the Central Region.
The Bills include Environmental Protection Agency Bill, 2024, Social Protection Bill, 2023, Customs (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Budget Bill, 2023, Ghana Boundary Commission Bill, 2023, Intestate Succession Bill, 2022, University of Mampong Bill, 2024, Free Secondary Education Bill, 2024, and the Pre-Tertiary Amendment Bill.
The rest are Colleges of Applied Arts, Science and Technology Bill, 2024, Ghana Book Development Council Bill, 2024, University for Development Studies Bill, 2024, Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Bill, 2024, University of Health, Agriculture and Life Sciences (Kintampo) Bill, 2024, J. B. Danquah University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences (Bunso) Bill, 2024, University of Sports for Development Bill, 2024 and the University of Engineering and Applied Sciences (Ankrodie) Bill, 2024
Mr Afenyo-Markin submitted that reconvening Parliament now would send a powerful message of national unity and institutional stability.
He said it would demonstrate that, even as we approach the peak of the electoral season, Parliament remains steadfast in its constitutional duties and committed to advancing the national interest through bipartisan cooperation.
“In view of the urgency of these Government Business, I crave your indulgence to consider exercising your mandate under Orders 57(3) and 58(4) to recall the House to consider the above outstanding business.”
He emphasised that these were high priority business for Government.
Order 57(3) provides: “The Speaker may, summon a sitting of the House before the date or time to which the House has been adjourned or at any date or time after the House has been adjourned sine die.”
Further to the above, Order 58(4) also states: “The Speaker shall summon Parliament within a period determined by the Speaker and the requirement for a fourteen-day-notice shall not apply where there is an emergency”.
“Respectfully Sir, if the above request finds favour with you, I propose that you consider Thursday, 28th November 2024 and Friday, 29th November 2024 as the scheduled dates for this emergency recall,” Mr Afenyo-Markin stated.
“It is my view that once done, Members can go back to their Constituencies over the weekend to continue with their campaign towards the December 7 General Election.”
He noted that the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on article 97 (1) (g) and (h) provides the House with a clean slate to move forward in unity and purpose.
Adding that: “Let us seize this opportunity to demonstrate to the people of Ghana that their Parliament can rise above partisan considerations to serve their interests effectively”.
GNA