Let’s Prove Parliament Is Above Partisan Interests …Majority Seeks Recall For Urgent Govt. Business

Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader in Parliament, has requested the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, to recall the House to address some critically urgent high priority business for Government and Bills which have remained outstanding due to the indefinite adjournment of Parliament.

“Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on article 97 (1) (g) and (h) provides us with a clean slate to move forward in unity and purpose. 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”, the Majority Leader noted in Memo dated Friday November 22 and addressed to Speaker Bagbin.

Afenyo-Markin, in his Memo to Speaker Bagbin, noted that “reconvening Parliament at this juncture would send a powerful message of national unity and institutional stability. 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.”

The Memo drew The Speaker’s attention to the fact that 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.

It mentioned 17 different Bills currently before the House that needs attention.

The 17 Bills mentioned in the Memo to seek a recall includes the Free Secondary Education Bill, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency Bill, 2024, the Social Protection Bill, 2023, the Budget Bill, 2023, the Intestate Succession Bill, 2022, the Ghana Book Development Council Bill, 2024, the Customs (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Bill, 2024 among others.

On the matter of urgent Government Business which requires the attention of Parliament, the Majority Leader listed five issues which includes the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, an International Development Association facility of Two Hundred and Fifty Million United States Dollars ($250,000,000),  the request for Tax Exemptions for designated beneficiaries under     the One District, One Factory Programme and the consideration of the President’s Nominations for Appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court.

The Memo also mentioned the 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.

The fifth issue mentioned was the 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 Majority Leader said in view of the urgency of these Government Business, he was craving the indulgence of Speaker Bagbin to consider exercising his mandate under Orders 57(3) and 58(4) to recall the House to consider the above outstanding business.

“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. 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 7th General Elections”, Afenyo-Markin noted.