TheMajority Caucusin Parliament has submitted a formal memo to the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, calling for an urgent meeting of the House.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, announced the indefinite adjournment of parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday, October 22, after a tumultuous day in the Chamber, characterised by heated disputes between Members of Parliament (MPs) from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the question of which caucus holds the Majority.
In the memo issued in accordance with Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, the Caucus underscores the necessity of reconvening to tackle pressing national matters that demand immediate action.
The memo states: “Respectfully, on behalf of myself (Habib Iddrisu) and the requisite number of Members ofParliamentfrom the Majority Caucus, I have the honour to address you on a matter of utmost national importance.”
Citing Article 112(3) of the Constitution, the letter highlights that “notwithstanding any other provision of this article, fifteen percent of Members of Parliament may request a meeting of Parliament; and the Speaker shall, within seven days after the receipt of the request, summon Parliament. Despite any other provision, 15% of the Members of Parliament may request a meeting of Parliament, and the Speaker shall, within seven days after the receipt of the request, summon Parliament,”
The Caucus outlined three key matters to be addressed, prompting them to invoke Article 112(3):
“We respectfully request that, upon the House’s recall, the following urgent government business be discussed and acted upon, including any other matters that may arise…” including tax exemptions for eligible beneficiaries under the One District, One Factory Programme and the approval of the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, a $250 million facility from the International Development Association.
Additionally, the Caucus outlined several bills for deliberation, such as the Environmental Protection Agency Bill, 2024, the Social Protection Bill, 2023, the Customs (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Budget Bill, 2023, the Ghana Boundary Commission Bill, 2023, and the Intestate Succession Bill, 2022.
