By: Augustus Acquaye
Parliament has described as frivolous calls for a recall of the House by persons outside of Parliament as it amounts to meddling in the work of Parliament. It said per its rules., only MPs can make such a request and so far nothing of a sought has been made.
Reacting to a news on social media on the whereabouts of the Speaker Alban Bagbin, the Legislature said the story sought to imply that the Speaker’s absence from the jurisdiction is ill-intentioned, thus portraying the Speaker and Parliament in a negative light. It reiterated that the Speaker is currently leading a parliamentary delegation at the International Renewable Energy Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The release from the Public Affairs Division said Parliament, as an arm of government, is a rule-based institution and Members of Parliament are aware of the established procedures to communicate with the Speaker.
It noted that if there is a need for Members to request for a recall of Parliament during a recess, Order 53 of the Standing Orders provide that 15 percent of Members may request a meeting of Parliament and the Speaker shall within 7 days after receipt of the request, summon Parliament.
It stressed that no such request has been made by any Member of Parliament and so, the calls for a recall of Parliament by persons outside of Parliament is frivolous and vexatious, and amounts to meddling in their word.
The statement added that per the new Standing orders of Parliament, the Speaker and/or his Deputies are not required for Parliament to sit. Moreover, Order 52 provides for virtual Sitting so one’s physical presence is not necessarily required in today’s virtual world.
It said Parliament is aware of the need for collaboration and consensus building because of its hung nature and the Speaker, has sought throughout his tenure, to remain neutral and fair in his dealings.
Therefore, to insinuate that the Speaker is not heeding calls for a recall because of his political allegiance the NDC is unfounded and unfortunate.
It concluded by saying that barring any emergency or unforeseen circumstance, Parliament is likely to reconvene in the latter part of May 2024.