Accra, Nov 27, GNA – The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Caucus has petitioned the Speaker against an earlier one by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Caucus for a recall of the House proposed from 28th-29th November.
Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the NDC Parliamentary Caucus Leader in a Memo addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, in reference to the subject matter said the NDC Caucus had taken notice of a request to the Speaker, praying him to recall Parliament to consider so called outstanding public business.
“We note further that the petitioner has not satisfied the threshold and requirement under Article 112 (3) of the Constitution and Order 53(1) of the Standing Orders which require signatures of fifteen percent of members of Parliament to trigger a recall of Parliament,” the memo stated.
“Rt. Hon. Speaker, the petitioner’s request is premised on an appeal to you to exercise your discretion to recall Parliament to consider what they have termed “high priority” Government Business. They proceeded to enumerate the said businesses.
“Respectfully, Mr. Speaker, we wish to submit that based on the Petitioner’s own request, you are not obliged to recall Parliament. Further, the petitioner has not demonstrated that there is any emergency nor urgent government business to warrant a recall of Parliament, with barely eleven days to the crucial 2024 General Election.”
The memo said: “Having had a distinguished parliamentary career spanning over three decades, Rt. Hon. Speaker, you are very familiar with the demands and rigours of parliamentary elections.
“As we speak, members of parliament from both sides are in their constituencies having critical engagements with the electorate ahead of the December 7″ election.”
It said this election was not only a destiny-defining election for Ghana, but a career-defining one for many members of Parliament.
It said the petitioner had proposed Thursday, 28th November and Friday, 29th November, as the dates for this ill-fated and ill-timed recall; adding that should this request be granted, not only would Members of Parliament be required to truncate their important engagements with the electorate, but members would have to contend with logistical and other challenges to commute over long distances, difficult and hard-to-reach constituencies to Accra.
It noted that this proposed two-day sitting, if acceded to, would mean that members of the House would have less than one week to conclude their campaigns, train their polling agents, and make key logistical and other election-day arrangements.
It reiterated that this would disadvantage many Members of Parliament, and such a situation was most unfair.
The Memo said this recalled that this was the fourth time in 2024 alone that the NPP Parliamentary Caucus was requesting an urgent recall of Parliament.
It said it was also noteworthy that at each of the previous urgent meetings, many of the businesses listed in the instant petition were stated as so-called urgent Government Business, but in the end, they were abandoned.
The Memo said during a similar recall as recent as Thursday, 7th November, the NPP Parliamentary Caucus, which requested the recall abandoned the Parliamentary Chamber and failed to show up to transact Government Business.
“It is on record that the NPP Parliamentary Caucus failed to mobilise up to 30 Members of Parliament on their side to transact business on the floor,” the statement alleged.
“This was the reason why they failed to show up in the chamber. In the end, Mr. Speaker was compelled to adjourn the House indefinitely.”
It said in view of the foregoing, was the NDC Parliamentary Caucus’ considered position that there was no urgent Government Business currently before the House to warrant an urgent recall.
It said this current Parliament continues until mid-night of 6th January 2025, stating that Parliament could reconvene immediately after the December 7 general election to undertake the businesses outlined.
The Memo underscored that in less than two weeks, Ghanaians would be going to the polls to elect a President and Members of Parliament; declaring that both the electorate and those running for office must be accorded these few remaining days to engage meaningfully so that the people of Ghana can make an informed choice.
“Rt. Hon. Speaker, this recall that is being requested is ill-timed and will constitute a needless drain on the Ghanaian taxpayer. We therefore respectfully urge you to reject this call in the national interest,” the Memo stated.
With barely eleven days to the elections, a recall of the House will only fuel the unresolved stalemate that has prevailed in recent times. We must avoid anything that has the potential to disturb the peace of our country and stability of our democracy. Rather, let us prioritise the conduct of credible, peaceful, free and fair elections at this stage.”
The Memo therefore suggested a leadership meeting after the elections to resolve the stalemate and to agree on a suitable date to recall the House to consider any outstanding Government Business.
GNA