The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has admonished the caucuses of the House from abusing provisions of the constitution.
Mr Bagbin said such constitution abuses could disrupt planned legislative annual budget and workflow, drain national resources, and affect the overall productivity of Parliament.
In an address in Accra yesterday to welcome Members of Parliament to a two-day extraordinary session in Accra, the Speaker said the frequent invocation of Article 112 (3) within a session of Parliament should be of concern to all.
“Article 112 should not become a tool to keep Parliament in perpetual or continuous session, thereby preventing Parliament and Members from performing the other constitutional functions and duties to the country and constituencies,” the Speaker said.
The constitutional provision was divided that “notwithstanding any other provision, 15 per cent of members may request a meeting of Parliament, and the Speaker shall, within seven days after the receipt of the request, summon Parliament”.
Based on this provision, the Majority, barely 48 hours after the House adjourned sine die on July 30, triggered a recall on August 1, 2024 to consider urgent matters.
Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, argued that “this requisition is made in the utmost good faith and in the national interest, to enable the government discharge its constitutional mandate and serve the interests of the Ghanaian people”.
The matters to be considered include a US$250 million loan facility for the Ghana Energy Sector Recovery Programme, a US$250 million International Development Association facility for the Ghana Financial Stability Project, request for tax exemptions, and nine bills.
But the Speaker said such businesses could have waited.
“While the provisions are clear and unambiguous, we must consider the broader context in which they are intended to operate and legislate to set down the preconditions under which the Article could apply.
“Parliament recedes to focus more on its other functions of scrutiny, representation, advocacy, and diplomacy. It should be recalled when and only when an exceptional or urgent matter or business arise and requires Parliament’s immediate attention,” he stated.
A frequent invocation of Article 112 (3), particularly in a House composed such as this eight Parliament, the Speaker observed, could pose challenges to the governance of the country.
If such recalls are continued, he warned “the good intentions of the drafters of the Constitution could be turned into a horror movie”.
Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader, in his remarks said the minority would not support the businesses before the House.
To Dr Forson, MP, Ajumako/Enyan/Esiam, whilst the loan facility would further worsen Ghana’s debt portfolio, the tax waiver are an exiting package for cronies of the governing party.
However, the Majority Leader, Mr Afenyo-Markin, accused the minority of sabotaging the economy with its opposition to the facilities.
He held that the waivers would allow beneficiary entities create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth under the ‘One District One Factory’ policy.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI